Is this a rooster?

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Cockerel

Going off the large comb and wattles, and they are already pinking.

 

[JakeBarnes]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions yet. My 4 week old BR males have honking red/large combs already most of the time. Most hatchery BR pullets have a decent amount of dark wash down the leg fronts. I see some on that chick. The only thing that says male to me, a BR breeder, is the slower feathering, but you also said it was smaller so that may also be part of that issue as well. Sometimes, they can fool you. I'd expect more red in a comb of a 4 week old BR cockerel, personally. The stance I've seen in pullets of mine.

Thanks so much, it’s really helpful to see your examples. There is definitely a dark splash on the legs - do you know why the females have that? I actually don’t think the comb stands out as much in real life as it does in this picture . The colouring of mine seems a bit darker than yours too, which is a sign of a female isn’t it?

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks so much, it’s really helpful to see your examples. There is definitely a dark splash on the legs - do you know why the females have that? I actually don’t think the comb stands out as much in real life as it does in this picture . The colouring of mine seems a bit darker than yours too, which is a sign of a female isn’t it?

The dark leg fronts have something to do with the sex linked barring gene. My males have a tiny bit on their legs at times, but it's more sketchy than the females'. The darker coloring in female barred birds is because they carry only one barring gene while males have two. However, there are birds who defy their genetics on rare occasion, like the hatchery BR pullet I mentioned. She was sexed properly at the hatchery, however, they vent sexed those birds. Her coloring, head spot, etc, all said male to most BYC folks all those years back. She was not the usual, apparently didn't read her "breed manual", LOL. I've had slightly darker males on rare occasion, but almost every time, BRs can be sexed by those cues: down color, leg color, head spot at hatch, etc. One heritage line I have is not easy to sex, unlike 99% of the hatchery Rocks, and the other is much easier by color.

 

[JakeBarnes]

Thanks, that’s very interesting. I guess I’ll have to wait and see with this one

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Wait a few more weeks and repost a picture. They change so quickly! In the meantime, enjoy those fuzz babies of yours!