Help!

[SaraJean0989]

The end of May I purchased 20 “started pullets” from a local farm. I now have 3 crowing and 7 others that appear to be roosters as well. I ordered a combination of 4 breeds- buff, Australorp, RIR and Barred Rock. 3 of the Black birds I received are crowing and the combs/wattles on 3 of the others have me believing those are also roosters, and the way 4 of the extra young barred rocks back feathers are coming in, along with their aggression, makes me think they may be roosters as well. I have pics of the crowing birds and reds, can’t get decent pics of the Barred rocks just yet. Can anyone help me confirm these are roosters and then also breeds?

 

[JedJackson]

Yes, most are cockerels.

Picture 1- red cockerel, barred pullet
Picture 2- red cockerel up front, probably a red pullet behind.
Picture 3- black cockerel in front, red cockerel behind
Picture 4- 3 black cockerels
Picture 5- 2 black cockerels. I can't tell on the red ones on the background.
Picture 6- red cockerel in front, red pullet behind.

If these were sold to you as sexed pullets, I would complain to the seller, especially if you bought them as older birds, meaning over a month or so old. Tell them you are not happy and ask if you can exchange for real pullets or get a refund. This is an unacceptable amount of cockerels for sexed birds.

 

[sourland]

@JedJackson, has nailed it in my opinion. Red birds are RIR, and black birds are Australorps.

 

[DobieLover]

x3. That's a lot of cockerels! I'd load them up and take them right back to your local farm and get a refund on those "started pullets".

 

[DobieLover]

BTW, welcome to BYC!
Sorry you are off to such a crappy start with your chickens!

 

[SaraJean0989]

Thank you all! I am going to try again for better pictures of the Barred Rocks I believe to be cockerels. Unfortunately we met at a store for purchase, so I can’t take back to where I got them, seller has completely blocked all communication and I feel like if I were to leave a review on their farm FB page it would just be deleted.... so I’m left with the live and learn mentality. The seller knew what he was doing and frankly took advantage of my lack of knowledge ‍ I’m finally getting eggs from the hens and seems like I will have a lot of farm raised chicken for dinner all winter!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Pic 1: Cockerel
Pic 2: Cockerel; Pullet in background
Pic 3: Cockerel; Cockerel
Pic 4: Cockerel; Cockerel; Cockerel
Pic 5: Cockerel; Cockerel
Pic 6: Cockerel; Pullet behind

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

If you post pics of other birds, make sure we can see the saddle feathers, as that is the differentiator between the males and females.

 

[SaraJean0989]

If you post pics of other birds, make sure we can see the saddle feathers, as that is the differentiator between the males and females.

Thank you! Are the saddle feathers the ones that kind of start on their back and if they’re long they droop down almost like a saddle blanket would (trying to use context clues)Here are the pics I got tonight. Sorry they’re not great, these guys (or gals) are a lot friendlier because they spent a few weeks in our basement because they were extra small when I got them. I’ve included a pic of the other “baby” (black kind of red head) of the the group... does anyone know what she is? She’s been one of my favorites out of the group.

 

[Killer Tomato]

I couldn't see any hens with the Barred Rocks! Maybe one? They all look like cockerels. Sorry! Yes, saddle feathers are the ones near the rump, and they drape down, very pretty and swishy on the boys. They are skinny, and pointed feathers. The hens will have butt feathers that stand up straighter, like a fan. They are rounded. (of course, this can vary with the breed, but usually this is true)

I don't know what breed the "baby" is -- my guess is pullet though, and very pretty.

I think you have every right to make a complaint on the seller's FB page, and contact him for a refund. Or, just embrace your Rooster Flock!