Ordered 2 sexed pullets Production Red, do I have a roo???

[dutchbunny83]

I have 2 Production Red pullets that were ordered as day old chicks the beginning of February so they're 8 weeks old. They are bigger than the other pullets that came in the order, but I was told they grew fast. Recently one of the red's comb started growing like crazy along with her waddles. Both are already red. The other, who is the same age, still has the flesh colored comb and is just starting her waddles. Her comb is significantly smaller. Is it possible they are just growing at separate rates, or is one pullet actually a rooster? They are from a large hatchery so they may not be laid from the same hen, but they did hatch the same day. I know there are sometimes sexing issues at the hatchery, but all of mine from my first batch from them were the right gender (ideal poultry).

 

[Fred's Hens]

Photos help a lot.

At 8 weeks, telling the cockerels from the pullets is pretty straight forward. The cockerels sprout their red wattles and red combs much more predominately than the females.

Here's two photos of some of ours. In one, the cockerels are featured and in the other, the pullets are shown.
Can you see the difference? Once your eye can see the difference, you can sex single combed 8 week old birds.

 

[dutchbunny83]

Yes thank you. I just added a photo to my original post.... do you conquer with my hunch that I have a roo?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes thank you. I just added a photo to my original post.... do you conquer with my hunch that I have a roo?

Yes, I concur. That is a cockerel. Congratulations, you have a pair.

 

[dutchbunny83]

Is it possible one's just growing faster or am I looking at a rooster?
Also, if it is a rooster, how are production reds for meat?
Because I can't keep a rooster and our craigslist is inundated with free rooster postings....

 

[Fred's Hens]

There is very little meat on a production red. The PR is a mix designed for top egg production, not for meat production.

Yes, it is a cockerel. No, this is isn't a "growth" difference issue. That comb and wattle display at 8 weeks is the result of his male hormones producing secondary sex characteristics, which includes those huge feet, BTW. Sexing at hatcheries is not 100%.