Hen or not?? And breed help if possible

[SarahP85]

I am new to chickens and bought 4 girls (8weeks old). I've had them 3 weeks now and the 2 white ones (Lulu and Betty) are getting progressively worse with pecking. We first put it down to them sorting out the pecking order but last week Lulu pecked my son in the eye, they both constantly peck me when I go into the run and one tried to peck my daughter too. I'm thinking they may be cockerels. My two brown girls (Fifi and Rosie) are beautiful, friendly girls who love contact.
Also, I was told they were all Goldline chicks. Definitely don't think Lulu and Betty are. Any ideas anyone? Betty and LuluFifi and Rosie

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

first 2 looks to be white leghorn roosters
last 2 Red sex link hens

 

[SarahP85]

Thank you, I had a thought that the 2 whites were possibly Leghorn mixes. What is a red sex link? Is that an American term? I was confused by roos until I saw rooster

. We call them cockerels over here

 

[liz9910]

Hi,

I think the white ones are cockerels.

Elizabeth

 

[Fred's Hens]

I see two cockerels and two pullets. The two pullets are likely layers, great layers. Probably sex links, which means they are hybrids, crossed specifically to display red/gold at hatch, meaning pullets, while a sex link male hatches out white. I'm sure about the sexing of the 4 birds.

The white cockerels may have "some" leghorn blood in them, as this is common in most layer strains, but they aren't Leghorns. Wrong body shape and tails.

 

[SarahP85]

Thank you so much for your help. I was assured that all 4 had been checked and were definitely hens! Oh dear

. Now to start a new thread for advice on keeping cockerels with children!

 

[hdowden]

white rocks and red sex links

my advice get rid of the 2 whites for 2 pullets that are nice mean cockerels/roosters are a big no no around kids of any age (my kids are 1.5, 4, and 5)

 

[donrae]

Goldlines appear to be a UK sex link. That means the breeder crosses a red roo over a silver hen and the female chicks hatch out goldish colored and the males hatch out silverish colored, the sex is linked to the color thus the term sex-link. So, all your chicks are indeed goldlines, two cockerals and two pullets. If the cockerals are causing problems I'd get rid of them. Absolutely keep your children away from them, toddlers and roosters are a poor mix.

I would talk to whoever sold them to you. The entire point of sex linked birds is to make sexing easy and accurate. If the seller knew anything at all, they knew those two silver/white birds were males. They should have the chance to make it right for you, or at least confirm you shouldn't do business with them again.

 

[SarahP85]

Thank you for the explanation Donrae. It makes sense now that I've read it like that! The 2 cockerels have now been rehomed so that is not an issue any more thankfully. Although, both children were very sad to see them go.
I left a message for the breeder but she has not got back to me. My guess is that she knew they were males as she originally said she would have them back if there were any problems but she has not returned any of my calls.

 

[yorklady]

I see two cockerels and two pullets. The two pullets are likely layers, great layers. Probably sex links, which means they are hybrids, crossed specifically to display red/gold at hatch, meaning pullets, while a sex link male hatches out white. I'm sure about the sexing of the 4 birds.

The white cockerels may have "some" leghorn blood in them, as this is common in most layer strains, but they aren't Leghorns. Wrong body shape and tails.

I don't think they are leghorn roos either. My Brewster never had a plumply shaped body. He is tall and gangly!