I think this Barred Rock chick is a cockrel,any opinions?

[Mulegirl]

Was supposed to be in the "pullet" pen at Rural King,but we all know how that goes. I'm thinking it's a cockrel,which makes me a little sad...this one's my buddy!

 

[lazy gardener]

Head spot says cockerel. Feet say this is a poor representative of the breed! More pics when the chick is feathered out?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Why does the headspot matter?

Also what makes mule girl think it’s a rooster?

Barring is a sexlinked trait. Pure barred males carry two copies on two male chromosomes (WW), but females can only carry one copy because they only carry one male chromosome (WZ).

Male headspots are messier and less defined because the chick has two copies of the barring gene that causes the headspot. The female chick only has once copy and so the headspot is more small and defined.

Hope that helps!

EDT: Also, feet tend to be darker on female BR chicks. I think this has something to do with the barring gene, but I'm not certain.

 

[Roosters110]

Thanks a lot I remember coming across something like this but couldn’t remember so had to ask again

 

[Mulegirl]

Im just so lost if its a pullet or a cockrel. Either way its a sweetie! (Not getting any pink area for wattles,the other one is?)

 

[Mulegirl]

Well he is from Rural King,so not going to get top quality.

ETA:yes,will get more pictures when it feathers out

 

[BlackIce]

That's a pullet for sure. My BR pullet had barely any dark color on her feet/legs and had a big irregular spot on her head too when she was just over a week.

Thats very strange an unusual. Barred rock should look like this when they are older

The lighter one is the rooster and the darker ones are the hens.

 

[gator75]

Thats very strange an unusual. Barred rock should look like this when they are older

The lighter one is the rooster and the darker ones are the hens.

The black wash over the legs came on very quickly at about three weeks and at 5 weeks there is barely any yellow visible at all. She's all female.

 

[gator75]

I understood that it was the same bird in both photos. You clearly have a pullet, imo.

 

[Roosters110]

Why does the headspot matter?

Also what makes mule girl think it’s a rooster?