Help please. Black Australorp or Barred Rock? Roo or Hen?

[Laura Burg]

Hi! Can anyone provide some insight on this little one? I wanted a Black Australorp, but she (he?) looks more like a Barred Rock to me. S/he is approximately 3 weeks old in this pic. Also, I am hoping "Sue Bird" is a hen, but am thinking she may be a rooster? I did choose her from a pullet bin marked as "Black Autralorp" at a local agricultural store, but I know that isn't always 100% I had to re-home a rooster two years ago, and it broke my heart. Hoping I do not have to go that route again, but I know I don't have enough hens to keep a rooster happy.

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

Hi! Can anyone provide some insight on this little one? I wanted a Black Australorp, but she (he?) looks more like a Barred Rock to me. S/he is approximately 3 weeks old in this pic. Also, I am hoping "Sue Bird" is a hen, but am thinking she may be a rooster? I did choose her from a pullet bin marked as "Black Autralorp" at a local agricultural store, but I know that isn't always 100% I had to re-home a rooster two years ago, and it broke my heart. Hoping I do not have to go that route again, but I know I don't have enough hens to keep a rooster happy.

This is a barred rock chick. Can't be sure on the gender yet, in a few weeks it will be easier to tell. I'm leaning towards cockerel

 

[Laura Burg]

This is a barred rock chick. Can't be sure on the gender yet, in a few weeks it will be easier to tell. I'm leaning towards cockerel

Thanks for the confirmation on the Barred Rock. I love them, but already have, so am disappointed that the store said they were Black Australorps, but I guess should have known from the white spot on the head. Fingers crossed that this baby turns out to be a she.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi. A Black Australorp may have a white tip or two on a wing feather at that age, but it won't be clearly barred like your chick is. And I am no expert on BR, but I'm guessing cockerel too, isn't that what the white spot on the head indicates? If not, I stand to be educated!

 

[STACEYH]

Same thing happened to me. I told the store about their mistake and they gave me the Black Australorps. They couldn't take the barred rocks back so I have them all now.
I also think cockerel ... pullets have small narrow spots on head... male large spots.

 

[Laura Burg]

Same thing happened to me. I told the store about their mistake and they gave me the Black Australorps. They couldn't take the barred rocks back so I have them all now.
I also think cockerel ... pullets have small narrow spots on head... male large spots.

Good idea with calling the store. I will give them a try today. Maybe if they give me another pullet, I may have enough to keep the rooster happy, if that's what s/he turns out to be. Just not sure if 9 hens will be enough, especially b/c a few of them are older (6 years old). Thanks again for the info.

 

[3KillerBs]

It's not necessarily the store's fault or even the fault of customers picking them up and putting them into the wrong bin.

While watching chicks at the farm store I saw one adventurous little ball of fluff jump up onto the edge of the open-topped bin and jump down into the next bin.

 

[Iluveggers]

What breed is the chick under your barred rock in pic 4? That looks like it could be an Australorp! What else do you have? I see what I’m guessing is an Egger & a Sapphire Gem?

 

[SimonsenPonderosa]

What breed is the chick under your barred rock in pic 4? That looks like it could be an Australorp! What else do you have? I see what I’m guessing is an Egger & a Sapphire Gem?

its definitely a Australorp. i have a few myself with those same markings!

 

[Laura Burg]

What breed is the chick under your barred rock in pic 4? That looks like it could be an Australorp! What else do you have? I see what I’m guessing is an Egger & a Sapphire Gem?

Great job identifying the chicks! Yes on the Sapphire Gem and the Easter Egger. The little black one is supposed to be a Midnight Marans - at least that was what the store said.