OH NO. do I have a ROOSTER??? <pics>

[keeko]

My chicks are just shy of 3 weeks old. They're hatchery birds, as this was my first every time with chickens (YAY! - sidenote, it's as much fun and addicting as I expected it to be!). But I've been wondering for a little over a week now if one (or both) of my Barred Rock chicks are going to be cockerels. Their combs are very large, especially compared to the other chicks', and one in particular (Loretta) is very aggressive. She pecks my hand anytime it's in the brooder. She marches right up to my hand without fear. She pecks HARD (usually going for my freckles). She doesn't care to be held very much, but will calm down if I'm holding her for a while. What made me feel really concerned is that both of my BR's are feathering very slowly compared to the other chicks... very short wings, barely any tail feathers, and they stretch and stand very tall! Here's a pick of Loretta:

And another:

As I said, I'm a total beginner - new to this as of 3 weeks ago!! What do "eggsperts" think about Loretta??

 

[mrbstephens]

I think it's a roo.

 

[Tala]

She looks girly to me, SO FAR.
It's too early to tell for sure. The girls are much blacker/darker looking than the boys.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Does this one have a much smaller tail then the others? Roos feather out much slower, and have a different tail growth pattern.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Females have the white spot I believe. Maybe they aren't feathered as much because they are a larger heritage breed. They sure are cute either way!!

 

[keeko]

Yes, they definitely have smaller tail feathers than the rest of my chicks (RIR, Buff Orps, blk Aussies, and EE's), but they've always had smaller wings. Both of my Barred Rocks have the same growth rate, *however* only Loretta demonstrates the aggression and fearlessness...

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I think you are confusing them with the black sexlink. In the black sexlink, the chicks look similar to the Barred Rock (because they come from BR hens) but the males have the white on their heads and grow out feathered to look like a messy Barred Rock.

My BR pullets at 7-10 days (with month-old Cuckoo Marans pullet)

I think ALL Barred Rocks of either sex have the white dot on their heads. Anyway, my hatchery-sexed BR pullets also have the white dot on their heads. They are about three weeks old and look similar to the one that Keeko has. Mine are about 3.5 weeks old, but live outside so they may be feathering faster.

She's the one front/center, or furthest left in this pic

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Thanks for that correction Tala, I guess the black sex links is what I was thinking of then

I only have Del's

 

[mrbstephens]

I knew from the start my 1 day old partridge rock might be a rooster. I was trying to ignore that fact. Right when he was taken out of the brooder and placed in the box with my other chicks he grabbed hold of my LB's foot feathers. He was being naughty. I should have told the lady at the feed store to put him back right then!

He was definitely acting different from the others. He was the fastest and most difficult to catch and hold. After a while I gave up on catching him when bringing them inside and back in the brooder. I'd leave him for last and him come running after me looking for the hens with his head held up high and sqwacking! If you feel it in your gut, it's probably a roo.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
I think you are confusing them with the black sexlink. In the black sexlink, the chicks look similar to the Barred Rock (because they come from BR hens) but the males have the white on their heads and grow out feathered to look like a messy Barred Rock.

My BR pullets at 7-10 days (with month-old Cuckoo Marans pullet)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eVTlu3ivenA/S5bfMNWoKoI/AAAAAAAAANU/gxVo6VuhkfI/s640/SANY0853.JPG

I think ALL Barred Rocks of either sex have the white dot on their heads. Anyway, my hatchery-sexed BR pullets also have the white dot on their heads. They are about three weeks old and look similar to the one that Keeko has. Mine are about 3.5 weeks old, but live outside so they may be feathering faster.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs498.snc3/27202_612274355671_55007926_34669229_2643834_n.jpg
She's the one front/center, or furthest left in this pic
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs518.snc3/27202_612274500381_55007926_34669230_6885353_n.jpg

The females have a dot, and the males have a smudgy whit dot that tends to spill down the neck.