Help!! what breed and gender?

[parkerchick6]

These three chicks are throwing this newbie chicken owner through a loop hole. At first I thought they were all pullets and then they started growing crest and wattles, which is good but two of the three are turning red. Is there anyway they could still be pullets or are they all Roos? Also wondering the breed on the darker one. Dad was a Bo but not sure on mom? Thanks for all the help.

 

[NewlyHatchedEgg]

What age are they? I'm not positive on the breed, but the first two pictures look like my Rhode Island Reds except yours has a much larger comb. Mine are 7 weeks old and their combs are small, pinkish and yellowish color.

 

[Peep_Show]

#1 definitely cockerel

#2 possible pullet (wait and see)

#3 cockerel

 

[parkerchick6]

They are 7 weeks old. Does coloring matter on the combs or is size the most important thing when determining sex?

 

[Basskids08]

I believe that their all cockerels, the only one that might not be is 2 but it's not looking good!

 

[NewlyHatchedEgg]

It's a combination of both size and color. In general, pullet's combs won't turn a bright red until they are ready to lay eggs, and their combs are significantly smaller than males of the same breed and age. I agree with people above me in saying #1 is definitely a rooster and # 3 is most likely a cockerel. #2 is questionable, it's comb is rather pink, but smaller in size.

On a different note, you have a beautiful German shepherd.

 

[parkerchick6]

Thanks! It really is confusing because chick 3 has a big comb but it's not as dark as the other Bo who has a small dark red comb and wattle. So confusing. Do I keep them or find them new homes?

 

[NewlyHatchedEgg]

It's really up to you whether or not you keep them. Are roosters illegal where you live? Can you wait and see if they crow? (my current Easter Egger roo crowed at 7.5 weeks, but most roosters take around 20 weeks. And if you have multiple roosters, you might find yourself in a situation where only the dominant male crows). Around 3 and a half months you can start looking for hackle and saddle feathers. If you don't want to wait that long, you can post an update picture in a few weeks. If I were a betting person, I'd put money on chick #1 being a rooster for sure. It's comb is large and it is in that rooster stance. If you wanted hens for eggs, I think you might want to start over; however, I personally like to wait until I know the gender for sure. Best of luck.