FREE Barred Rock Chick- 4 weeks- Maine

[SeaChick]

We bought 7 sexed pullets that were hatched April 27. We're suspecting the Plymouth Barred Rock may not be a Chloe, but a Charlie. There's nothing definitive yet, no larger or red comb.... but she/he's feathering in more slowly than the other 6, and we just have a "feeling". It's an adorable chick, but we cannot have a rooster here, so we're looking for a good home for this baby.

All of our chicks are hand-raised in our home with lots of human contact. Although we feed 100% organic after about 6 weeks, this chick is still on medicated starter and was vaccinated against Mareks. She/he is very healthy and adorable.

This baby should go to a home with other like-aged chicks. (3-6 weeks??)

We live in Cumberland, Maine. I'd be willing to drive and meet you partway (within reason) for the right home. I don't want this baby ending up in the stew pot

 

[lockedhearts]

Quote:
You can sex Barred Rocks by feather color. Males are lighter, have wider white bars. Hens are darker. So if they are all darker then they should be hens

 

[SeaChick]

This baby was sexed at the hatchery. She/he didn't look any different than the other BRs when we chose her at the feed store. But as soon as she started feathering in, we knew something was different. We had a thread about it here...

and BR people (incl Speckled Hen) seemed to agree it wasn't typical. Since then, the feathering-in has continued VERY slow compared to the other girls, including the "bare wing bows" that I read was a cockerel trait. Additionally, this chick has longer legs, a longer neck, and shorter body than the other little pullets. it's also the one who calls out whenever another chick is removed from the brooder. So- while nothing's definitive- if I had to bet I'd go with cockerel....

 

[SeaChick]

 

[Me & My Peeps]

Your about 3 hours from me. A bit far for 1 chick sorry..........
Unless you want me to take them all? I'd drive there for all of them

 

[Neilette]

That is looking like a pullet. Males are white with black stripes, and females are black with white stripes. Yours is feathered like a female.

I had the same question with my BR, and the nice people on BYC assured me that BR's are sexually dimorphic. Here are the posts about it .


In this picture, the comparison is obvious. The cockerels are the lighter banded chicks.

Here's a picture of mine at 6 weeks old. You can see how similar the barring is with yours. Mine did, in fact, turn out to be ladies.

ETA: I should add that I, too, was worried about one of the BRs. When she got excited, her crest turned almost red. She would walk a little more upright than I thought she should... But sometimes, you have a tomboy (tomroo). Nowadays, she struts around with her tail in the air like this hen .

 

[SeaChick]

Thanks! Well, maybe we should just hang onto her/him a bit longer, then!

 

[LauraG]

I think you should wait. I have a 4 week old Barred rock too- feathering in very slowly. (the other BR I have is feathering in quicker)

I was convinced I had a roo for a couple of days based on that, but now, I'm not so sure either--

I think it really may be a pullet.

I know, its kind of frustrating, but yours looks like a pullet to me....

 

[Silverduck]

I have barred rock bantams, and yours looks like my girls. I think it is a pullet too. The boys are lighter.

 

[gstone]

that would be a sad story if she was rid of because she was a "Tom-boy" or late bloomer!

Hope this story has a happy ending for every one!