Boys or girls?

[bulmjn01]

I am new to chickens and wondering whether I have received any roos in this batch. They are 18 wks old. I was told the white ones are amberlink and the black ones barred rocks. I haven't heard any crowing yet.

 

[junebuggena]

The only pic that shows is Noodle, who is female.

 

[bulmjn01]

I have resubmitted a pic.

 

[junebuggena]

All girls. And the breeds are correct, Amberlinks and Barred Rocks. The Amberlinks look like they are getting really close to laying. The Rocks look like they have another month or so till they are ready to lay.

 

[BantamLover21]

They all look like pullets to me.

 

[summerb123]

All girls. And the breeds are correct, Amberlinks and Barred Rocks. The Amberlinks look like they are getting really close to laying. The Rocks look like they have another month or so till they are ready to lay.

agree!

 

[drumstick diva]

all pullets - lucky you amber links & barred rocks

 

[bulmjn01]

Thank you for the responses. I'm so excited to have received hens for my first go at byc's. I am curious tho, how are you able to tell so easily from a picture? What do I want to look for in future batches? I've researched this since I got them at 2wks old but the more I read and the more they grew I second guessed myself.

 

[junebuggena]

Thank you for the responses. I'm so excited to have received hens for my first go at byc's. I am curious tho, how are you able to tell so easily from a picture? What do I want to look for in future batches? I've researched this since I got them at 2wks old but the more I read and the more they grew I second guessed myself.

At their age, it's the feathering that determines males from females, since females should start to be getting red in the comb as they approach the onset of lay. Males develop long, thin, pointed saddle feathers at about 10 weeks old. By the time they are 18 weeks, those feathers are very visible. Female feathering in that region does not differ in shape from the rest of the feathers on the body.

 

[donrae]

Agree your birds are as advertised, Amberlink and Rock females.

Last year was my first year with the Amberlinks, and I was quite pleased with them. I've had barred Rocks forever, they're the backbone of my flock. I think you'll be very happy with your flock, especially once they start laying!