RIR, cockerel or pullet? (The one on the left.)

[Bill1976]

I have two RIRs that were supposed to be pullets. I bought them at a local feed store and was told they were sexed. I know the sexing is not 100%, but am starting to think I got a pullet and a cockerel. I've attached a picture of my two RIRs (with one of the Ameraucanas standing behind). I thought maybe I just had a big pullet until I started seeing waddles. I've had the RIRs for 10 weeks now. Assuming they were one or two weeks old when shipped to the feed store, they are right at 3 months old. Just looking to see what the consensus is. Thanks!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Can you get a pick of the neck and saddle feathers? But is does look like a cockerel.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Congratulations, you have a mating pair.

You realize, of course, that feed stores sell hatchery quality, generic red birds as RIR, when they actually are production reds, or hatchery reds. Never mind that. You will enjoy them. The pullet will lay very well. As for the age, actually, I'd be very surprised if the chicks were more than a few days old when you bought them. Most stores sell chicks that were hatched just a day or two earlier. Newly hatched chicks survive the shipping and handling, as they don't require any food or nutrients for about the first 48 hours of their lives.

Once they are older, even a week old, it is very difficult to ship chicks around. Hope that helps you peg their age with a bit more precision. Enjoy your new adventure and welcome to BYC.

 

[Bill1976]

I'll try to get some more pictures of him and post them soon. Thanks!

 

[Bill1976]

Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of the differences between true RIRs and the feed store birds. Given what you said about shipping, I guess that would make these guys right at 10 weeks old (10 weeks since I picked them up). It's pretty ironic actually. I was away on business when they came in and the store wanted them picked up right away, so my wife had to pick them out. She's been pretty adamant about not having a rooster, so I'll tell her she should have picked better

.

He's the most gentle bird of the bunch, though. He likes to climb up on my arm and go for rides when I clean out the coop. I guess if I'm to have a rooster, I can't complain about having a gentle one. We had a RIR rooster when I was a teenager and he wasn't exactly Mr. Friendly, so I'm hoping this guy will be an improvement.

Thanks again!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Young cockerels are often the most precocious and friendly. Everyone has differing views on raising cockerels. Personally, I don't pay any attention to them at all. None. That way, when he's older, full of hormones and all defensive, he doesn't see me as anything but part of the landscape, no different and no more threatening than a fence post.

 

[oliver27]

Hey Bill, is that RIR making a rooing sound yet. I have one that looks like the same and the RIR is 17 weeks old but there is no rooing in the morning, so im not sure if its a rooster or a hen.

 

[Bill1976]

About the best I could do to get the saddle feathers and neck in one shot.

 

[Bill1976]

Nobody is crowing yet. The RIR birds are still making younger bird sounds, but every once in a while they let a cluck slip here or there.

 

[silver1313]

I am no expert and it does look like a roo but my girl looks like that at about hmmm .. 20 weeks and she is a she ... as she is laying ...