Pullet or Cockerel?

[cmom]

Most hatcheries have a 90% guarantee that the chicks are pullets and the stores put them in their tanks, bins or whatever and assume they are. If the hatcheries send extra chicks they are usually males with a few exceptions but mostly males. At least it has worked that way in the past. I don't know for sure if they still do that. Again, good luck with your flock and have fun...

 

[Chickie_Momma_91]

Sadly the Sapphire Gem is indeed a cockerel. Any lighter splotch on the head tells us this :/ In the future, pick Sapphire Gems with an even colored head! It makes me sad just how many people have accidentally done this exact same thing this year These Sapphire Gems are incorrectly labeled as pullets when they were obviously cockerels from the get-go

It was labeled wrong, but it was also on me. I was looking for like a legit white spot not just a lighter streak. My kiddos will be so sad! Is there a good way to tell a RIR chick aside from taking their word for it?

 

[Chickie_Momma_91]

Most hatcheries have a 90% guarantee that the chicks are pullets and the stores put them in their tanks, bins or whatever and assume they are. If the hatcheries send extra chicks they are usually males with a few exceptions but mostly males. At least it has worked that way in the past. I don't know for sure if they still do that. Again, good luck with your flock and have fun...

Yeah I think during tank downsize and putting them together this little one got misplaced.

 

[Chickie_Momma_91]

This is a good pictures of you little cockerels.
View attachment 2642552

Could big red just be older and still be a pullet? She/he is kind of jerk but I love her/him anyways!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

It was labeled wrong, but it was also on me. I was looking for like a legit white spot not just a lighter streak. My kiddos will be so sad! Is there a good way to tell a RIR chick aside from taking their word for it?

RIRs are not sexlinked or autosexing so they can take a bit of time. Luckily though, cockerels redden up quickly and you should know by 5-6 weeks of age! They're a bit young now, but the one pointed out earlier does look suspiciously like a cockerel. I would wait a few more weeks and repost more pics!

 

[cmom]

Could big red just be older and still be a pullet? She/he is kind of jerk but I love her/him anyways!

I don't think so. These are young males probably a little older.