I am trying real hard but just can't tell

[sandybrookchick]

I am having a difficult time telling if my 3 barred rocks are cockerel or pullets. Can anyone tell me what I have? I think the two to the left are cockerels and the one on the right is a pullet. I have tried and tried to read on how to tell the difference. I get to a point where I think I can figure it out, then I go outside and look and still shake my head. I give up. They are about 12 weeks old. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[donrae]

Eh. At 12 weeks, I'm guessing they're all the same age, right? I'm thinking all pullets. The one in the middle kinda tweaks my roo-dar, the lighter color and slightly thicker legs could be roo. But, at this age I'd sure expect a lot more comb and starting of hackle and saddle feathers, and I'm just not seeing those. Maybe post again in a few weeks just to be sure?

 

[sandybrookchick]

Thank you! I am feeling a little sigh of relief. I almost gave one away because I was afraid it was going to be a rooster. I had a bad experience with a very aggressive Rhode Island Red rooster named Porkchop last year. I don't want to go through that again. I will post another photo in a few weeks. Thanks again

 

[chickenluver555]

The middle one is the one most likely to turn out to be a rooster. Roos have lighter coloring than females, and thicker legs. Here is an example, the rooster is on the left, and the two others are hens. But your middle one still isn't as light as most of the roos I have seen, so there is still a chance it could be a girl.

 

[chicken pickin]

They look like 3 girls to me. Do you have day old pics of the 3 of them?

 

[CowGrrrl]

The middle one is a cockerel, the rest pullets.