Hen or Rooster?

[head4dmtns]

In my intro thread someone told me that at this age (4 weeks) I should start being able to tell little differences between the girls and the boys in the coop. So here are a few pictures, I thought maybe y'all could help me out.........I know the pictures aren't the best, but the last one shows what happened when I tried to get solo pictures.....he/she didn't like the flash....LOL The pictures are clickable so you can get a better look.

This first one is my "pretty girl," though I'm not 100% certain "she" is a girl....."She's" lighter colored than the rest and I think "she's" just gorgeous.


I also think this one is a female.


This is my favorite "boy." Always the first one to run over to see what kind of treat I have for them that night. Also one of the most ornery of the bunch.


I told you he was ornery. "He" didn't like the flash AT ALL.....


Thanks for looking. I look forward to your comments!!
Trish

 

[debilorrah]

Those pics are awfully small to really tell. I have heard you can't really tell til they are 14 weeks or so. I have 6 11 week olds I am praying are all hens.

 

[Geo]

Quote:
The pics get bigger when you click them

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

These appear to be Wellsummers is that correct? The girls are usually lighter in color. Girls will generally develop tail feathers first. The hackle feathers on a boy will look more pointed. The boys will start to develop saddle feathers that are longer and more pointed. The girls heads will usually be more rounded and the boys more pointed or elongated.
Old time method is to hold the chick with your palm over it's back. Flip it upside down and let it rest in the palm of your hand. If it continues to kick it is a boy, girl will usually lay their legs out straight but sometimes will pull them up to their chest.

 

[gritsar]

My guesses are: girl, girl, boy and can't tell anything from looking under the wings on #4.

 

[jossanne]

I think you've guessed right, and I'm usually 50% correct.

I pegged 5 of my month-old variety chicks as roos, and ended up with 2, so I was less than 50% right on my month-olds. But yours appear all to be the same breed, so it's easier to tell girls from boys in comparison. I really do think you're right.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
14 weeks Deb? Most breeds start developing their secondary sex characteristics at 4 to 6 weeks. At 14 weeks they would be screaming pullet or cockerel.

 

[head4dmtns]

Quote:
I guess I should have mentioned.....they're Rhode Island Reds, at least they're all supposed to be RIRs.......

 

[juliechick]

I hate to be a downer, but they all three look like roos to me. They all have little red combs. I could be wrong, of course. Hope so.

 

[MissPrissy]

1. cockeral
2. cockeral
3. cockeral