How many boys do I have??

[bradronnie11]

Does it work with my barred hens and a RIR roo?

 

[Star2014]

My roo started showing spur buds around 1 1/2-2 months. But that was just my experience.

 

[Star2014]

My RIR roo was the one I was referring to. Not sure about the Barred Eocks though.

 

[torilovessmiles]

My roo started showing spur buds around 1 1/2-2 months. But that was just my experience.

Almost all chicks have spur buds. All of mine do, male and female. Actual spurs can take up to 6 months to begin growing, and a year to reach an inch long and sharpen.
In some breeds, especially games, females can grow full-on spurs.
Actual spurs begin growth well after the point that you can tell by the comb size and redness. These factors make it unreliable as a method of sexing.

 

[torilovessmiles]

Does it work with my barred hens and a RIR roo?

If you're talking about sex-linked breeding, yes. Solid red gene (M) + Barred (F) = sex linked chicks

 

[Star2014]

Almost all chicks have spur buds. All of mine do, male and female. Actual spurs can take up to 6 months to begin growing, and a year to reach an inch long and sharpen. 
In some breeds, especially games, females can grow full-on spurs. 
Actual spurs begin growth well after the point that you can tell by the comb size and redness. These factors make it unreliable as a method of sexing. 

Oh I guess it is just the breeds I have dealt with or maybe just my Roos. Sorry

 

[torilovessmiles]

Oh I guess it is just the breeds I have dealt with or maybe just my Roos. Sorry

No need to be sorry, this forum is about sharing experiences

 

[donrae]

Hi yes the father is a welsummer and the mother is rock.
I never knew that this mixture could produce obvious signs. I just liked these breeds.
So I really do have 5 rock roos, 2 rock hens and a wellie boy?

I just have to say....you don't have Rock offspring, they're mixed breed birds. but yes, 5 cockerels, 2 pullets and the Wellie cockerel.

The sex linked breeding is actually quite cool if you're wanting to sell chicks on the side. You can guarantee pullets and this allows you to charge a little more than for straight run, plus your market is larger.

 

[bradronnie11]

I just have to say....you don't have Rock offspring, they're mixed breed birds. but yes, 5 cockerels, 2 pullets and the Wellie cockerel.

The sex linked breeding is actually quite cool if you're wanting to sell chicks on the side. You can guarantee pullets and this allows you to charge a little more than for straight run, plus your market is larger.

What people still want to buy chickens if they are cross breed. I just call them rocks as they pretty much look like them and it's easier for me to explain which I mean. I don't mind them being crosses as they are just for me and my family. First time incubating, had chickens for a while but chicks and hatching eggs is a whole new game! Harder than I thought. Especially as I have so many boys ( 50/50 chance my ***!)

Is a light Sussex a good hen to sex link with ? Would her offspring be the same as the rocks?

 

[donrae]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261208/sex-linked-information

This thread is sex link 101. The thread itself is massive, but all the good stuff is on the first page. Tim's charts lay out pretty much all you need to know