This baby is now 14 days old. First pic is 1 day, 2nd about a week and last and top is today. I was sent 25 of these "bonus" chicks with my cornish X. All 25 look identical. We want to keep 1 or 2 as roos. Question 1- Is there anyway to tell if they are RIR, Production Reds, or Freedom Rangers at this point? The hatchery carries all 3. Question 2: does it differ in what the chicks will look like if I breed him with a barred rock hen, depending on what he is? Question 3: IS it possible any of them are pullets? How could I tell? Question 4: And if they are, what would I get when bred with my barred rock Roo? This is the best forum online! Y'all are always so helpful and friendly. It is great appreciated. I have bred Labrador retrievers for 30 years and totally get those genetics but cannot seem to wrap my brain around poultry, yet. Im trying to make a chart for the children but I think identifying these boys is the first step. Thank you for all the help.
I got a mixed assortment from McMurray Hatchery Oct 15. I did end up with 3 RIR pullets and they did not have speckles like these chicks. I am not familiar with the other two breeds you mentioned but I am pretty sure you can rule out RIRs. It is probably going to be a while yet before you can pick out the roos.
They are probably Production Reds. Pure Barred Rock roosters produce 100% barred chicks. There may be some red 'leakage', but most should have predominantly black and white barring.
