Is this a male Barred Rock?

[tagine]

Another newbie gender question...

We think we might have a rooster! Our Barred Rock "hen" recently starting crowing in the morning and evening, and it's beginning to sound an awful lot like a cockadoodle doo. Our chickens are all about 4 months old, and our Barred Rock has always been the dominant and aggressive one. S/he also grew some facial decorations pretty early, and they are quite red and large, particularly compared with the other chickens (though they are all different breeds). For some reason, though, I never suspected that she might be a he until all of the noise started!

Help! Can you help us confirm that this one is a male? Much appreciated!

 

[TiaRC]

Male lol

 

[fiddlebanshee]

x2. Not only because the red wattles and large comb @ 4 mo, but also because of the light coloring. Male barred birds have wider white bars than black so their overall appearance is a lighter color. If you would have a female barred rock beside him you would certainly see the difference.

 

[tagine]

I guess he really does look like a rooster, doesn't he? How did I not notice earlier?!

 

[fiddlebanshee]

I guess he really does look like a rooster, doesn't he? How did I not notice earlier?!

Because you saw what you wanted to see, rather than what was there? We all do it. I've been in denial about my own roosters before until they started to crow and I couldn't deny it any longer.

 

[ClucksAndPeeps]

Male

 

[chickita12]

Male-sorry

 

[donrae]

I guess he really does look like a rooster, doesn't he? How did I not notice earlier?!

You're not the first, or the last, to do this. I had an Easter egger rooster who had the classic Kellogg Rooster coloring, the comb, was huger than any of the ladies, he basically just screamed roo. I just never really "looked" at him and was totally shocked when Betty crowed! And yes, he was called Betty for the rest of his life......poor guy.

The good news is everyone else in the pictures is a hen!