Pullet or Roo; Lt Brahma/Australorp/RIR

[cknkids]

My daughter brought home 8 chicks fromt the 2nd grade life science project; 2 Lt Brahmas, 2 Australorp, 4 Rhode Island Reds. All are just over 4 weeks old, probably too early to tell gender but of course we’d love to know as we’re only zoned for hens. Of the RIRs 2 have feathers on their feet & no comb while the other 2 have combs. Not sure if this means the ones with feet feathers are some sort of cross or if the combs tell us who’s a boy and who’s a girl. Any input would be appreciated. Never thought I’d be a chicken person but we’re all having a blast with them and will be sorry to see the roos go.

 

[leadwolf1]

You'll need separate, close up pics of the comb area. However, I can see at least 2 roos...RIR #3 and 4. The other pics are too small to be able to tell since they don't show the comb area very well.

RIRs don't have feathered legs, so they must be mixes.

 

[cknkids]

Ok I think I've gone the other direction now making the head shots bigger then necessary. You can also see the leg fethers on RIR 1, RIR2 has them also.

 

[leadwolf1]

B1 and B2 look rooish to me but I'm not as good with peacombs. Hopefully, with the big pics someone with more experience there can jump in.

 

[cknkids]

Thanks, I'm afraid your right but keeping my fingers crossed. We'd like to end up with about 5 hens.

 

[cknkids]

Left to right:
RIR2, RIR3, B1, A1, RIR1, B2, RIR4, A2
Carmel, Kanga, Toasted Marshmallow, Ninja, Peaches, Sunshine, Roo (Dynamite) & Oreo
Carmel RIR2, Kanga RIR3, Toasted Marshmallow B1, Ninja A1, Peaches RIR1, Sunshine B2, Roo (Dynamite) RIR4 & Oreo A2

Ok please weigh in again… Who will eventualy have to go, we’re not zoned for roosters. The chickens are now 9 weeks old and no one is crowing. We are now convinced that Carmel(RIR2) and Peaches(RIR1) are probably a cross of the RIR & Lt Brahma,, feathers on their feet. We’re also wondering if Oreo(A2) is actual an Australop? Oreo has the cutest puffs on her cheeks. I was told that the chickens the class hatched were RIR, Lt Brahma & Australop. Of course our favorite, Toasted Marshmallow (B1), has the biggest comb and waddles. If they’re random crosses would that give us more reason to hope of some of the suspected roo’s?

Right now we’re betting that Kanga RIR3, Toasted Marshmallow B1, Sunshine B2, & Roo (Dynamite) RIR4 will have to go. Does anyone think we should be holding on to any hope for any of these &/or should we be worried about any of the others

General question, do all chickens fluff out their neck feathers or is this particularly a rooster action?

We've converted the kid’s old playhouse into at least a temporary home. The chickens spend their day roaming our yard. Of course we're dreading the day when we have to get rid of the roosters but believe they’re having a good life for now. Help figuring our who we need to watch is appreciated.

 

[ChickenPeep]

Going from Left to to right I would say:
Pullet Roo Roo Pullet Pullet Roo(?) Roo Pullet.

Does the black one on the end have fluffy cheeks?

 

[cknkids]

Yes! She does. Any thoughts on what she is?

 

[leadwolf1]

Kanga, Toasted Marshmallow, Sunshine and Dynamite, roos.

 

[ChickenPeep]

Well I'm no breed expert but she looks like she could be some kind of EE (Easter egger) .

She's adorable!