First timer here! Are my 5-6 weeks olds hens or roos? Pics included

[jaimepowell]

Just started raising chicks! We've had 8 in our house for about a month now-finally went out to their coop a couple of days ago (husband is very happy about that). I realized after a few weeks 3 were meat chickens and not egg layers--oops!! I have 5 left (3 rhode island reds-I think, and 2 oriental bantams). Let me know your thoughts! Oh and I had to include one of the meaties with our german shepherd--they have been BFF's since we brought them home! Don't mind the names...I have 2 four years olds and a 6 year old who picked them out

Prince (our dog) and Mr. Crooked Toes (meaty) when he was a week old

Prince and Mr. Crooked Toes at 5 1/2 weeks old

Our 3 reds

And again

Baby Mimi

Inside the coop

Orangey

Baby Mimi

Baby Brett

 

[Elphaba2140]

Hello and welcome. I am going to guess that of the 3 reds one for sure is a pullet and one roo (middle one in the first image of the three of them together) and the other not sure. Mimi I am going to guess is also a roo. I believe that Brett is named correctly.

 

[Erica]

I'll have a go, but please don't take this as absolute -- at best these are guesses based on what development the pictures show. In another light, on another day etc they may look different.

I usually sex at 3 weeks on the dot because it's much easier to tell by comb width and pinkness (girls will still have small tight yellowish combs, boys will be pinker and wider combed). That works across almost all breeds, even araucanas.

I'll do the photos in order as I see them... I know some of the photos are repeat birds... But here goes.

1. Rooster.
2. Front orange: pullet. Middle orange: rooster. Rear unclear but possibly rooster.
3. Front orange: pullet. Middle bird unclear but possibly rooster. Rear orange: rooster. Rear white: unsure. Rear black/grey: unsure.
4. Unsure, possibly rooster.
5. Front white: possibly pullet. Black/grey unsure but possibly rooster. Rear: unsure, possibly pullet.
6. Orangey: pullet.
7. Baby Mimi unsure: possibly rooster?
8. Baby Brett unsure: possibly pullet?
9. From left to right: Rooster, pullet, unsure (white).
10. Front black/grey: unsure. Middle orange: pullet. Rear orange: rooster.

I hope this isn't too depressing... Remember it's a guess, and internet judging is always hazardous. Hopefully someone else will see something I haven't!

 

[Chickiegirls2]

I cant believe your german shepard is that kind with that adorable little chick! I am hoping that my dogs will be that friendly!
Do you like the RI reds?? Are they friendly? I am expecting them on Wed!
Good luck with your mini hens!

 

[jaimepowell]

Thanks so far to everyone...I was afraid that I was right thinking there were so many roos! Oh well

The reds are super friendly! We got them from a local farm store and the kids and dogs have been around them everyday since they have been a couple days old. The little bantam named Mimi is my daughter's (4 yrs old) favorite and will perch on her shoulder and ride around anywhere and everywhere--little Brett suffered pasty butt for a couple weeks (I was cleaning it everyday) but made it through but is now a little nervous around people-as expected. The reds will come to us as soon as we go out and hang out with us and climb all over laps as long as we are sitting! Luckily the kids (and dogs) love them and go out everyday to spend time with them--I think that has really helped them.

 

[~sunflowerlady~]

I read that your daughter lets one of the chicks ride on her shoulder, arent you nervous the chick will poo on her? Not to be gross but this is also my first time owning chickens and as much as i love them im so nervous to set them in my lap due to the thought they r gonna poo all over me out of nervousness, If there is any advice that you have I will gladly take it!!! Thanks

 

[akcountrygrrl]

Your 3 reds look like production reds or hatchery quality Rhode Island Reds - 1 pullet, 1 roo, and 1 I don't know (couldn't see it well enough in the pics)
Mimi - looks like a roo - as to breed... If it is a hatchery chick, it's probably a silver duckwing Old English Game bantam (yes, I know it has yellow legs - that's why I specified hatchery). Now, given that it does have yellow legs... silver Leghorn or silver pencilled Plymouth Rock would be the two single combed, clean legged bantam breeds that are also possibilities That's one of those things that you'll have to wait on a little further development to discover.
Brett - looks to be a silver Sebright roo

 

[no1hilbily]

i would say that the red ones r pullets and the other two could be roos the black one more so on it

 

[WatWasIThinking!!!]

I'm not sure about sex of the chicks because i"m a newbie but that is a beautiful gsd!!!! Have 5 of my own.

 

[jaimepowell]

Thanks again everyone! And ~sunflowerlady~ we have had plenty of them poop on us lol-mostly when they were little babies. Now that they are a little older we haven't had near as many accidents. Lots of handwashing