- Apr 27, 2020
- 14
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My family purchased five chicks on 4/18 (three Barred Rocks and two Buff Orpingtons) and two Delaware on 4/25. The feed store said they had been sexed, but that we had a 1/10 chance of getting a cockerel. Demand is so high in the Bay Area that we had to line up at 5:15 am and fill out a form with our chick request and then come back later in the day to pick up. But I digress.
Based on the forums, it seems the BR should be easier to sex by:
Head spot - more distinct and smaller sports point to a pullet.
Wings - Longer primary feathers then covert feathers point to a pullet.
Leg and feet color - Darkening of the legs and feet point to a female.
Well, I am more confused than ever since my BRs seemed to have mixed traits in this regard. Attached are pics of the chicks. I added names to try to avoid a who is who. The leader of the entire flock is a BR named Elona Muskrat and she is already our favorite. We fear she may be a he...We live in San Jose, so roosters are not allowed. The other two are Monica and Goose.
Elona - Longer primary feathers and some darkening on front of legs and feet. Signs of a girl. However, the head spot seems large for a female and it extends somewhat into the neck. This one flys out whenever we take the grate off the bin and will go towards whoever is in the room. She also walks into our hands.
Monica - Like Elona, longer primary feathers and some darkening on front of legs and feet. The spot seems large for a female. Most flighty of the entire flock.
Goose - Most female like head spot and some darkening on front of legs and feet. However, her primary feathers seem to be closer to even length with her covert feathers.
I know waiting will make it all clear, but what is the fun in that...
-Justin
Based on the forums, it seems the BR should be easier to sex by:
Head spot - more distinct and smaller sports point to a pullet.
Wings - Longer primary feathers then covert feathers point to a pullet.
Leg and feet color - Darkening of the legs and feet point to a female.
Well, I am more confused than ever since my BRs seemed to have mixed traits in this regard. Attached are pics of the chicks. I added names to try to avoid a who is who. The leader of the entire flock is a BR named Elona Muskrat and she is already our favorite. We fear she may be a he...We live in San Jose, so roosters are not allowed. The other two are Monica and Goose.
Elona - Longer primary feathers and some darkening on front of legs and feet. Signs of a girl. However, the head spot seems large for a female and it extends somewhat into the neck. This one flys out whenever we take the grate off the bin and will go towards whoever is in the room. She also walks into our hands.
Monica - Like Elona, longer primary feathers and some darkening on front of legs and feet. The spot seems large for a female. Most flighty of the entire flock.
Goose - Most female like head spot and some darkening on front of legs and feet. However, her primary feathers seem to be closer to even length with her covert feathers.
I know waiting will make it all clear, but what is the fun in that...
-Justin
