Roos or hens?

[Atchurch]

So, I've been through this twice before, but I cannot remember when Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks begin to show REAL SIGNS of being males. They're nearly 12 weeks old. They hatched on May 6th and 7th. I thought the two bigger ones were probably boys, but now I think they're all girls! Which is great! But I want to know if I can KNOW before I integrate them into the flock so their daddy doesn't kill them, if they're males. Any advice welcome!!!

 

[sourland]

The barred birds are cockerels.

 

[Atchurch]

Birds? To which, are you referring? There's only one clear BR. All of them are mixed with BR, though.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Both are males

 

[Atchurch]

Both are malesView attachment 4184205

I thought so, too. Kinda bummed, though. Just wanted some outside opinions.

 

[Atchurch]

So, all in agreement that my two little black birds are probably girls? MAN! I was seriously hoping they are all girls.

 

[wrathsfarm]

So, all in agreement that my two little black birds are probably girls? MAN! I was seriously hoping they are all girls.

They're pullets.

 

[labelo]

Is your rooster barred?

If not, then you'll any chicks that turn out barred that he's definitely the dad of are males. Barring is sex-linked--when you cross a barred hen by a non-barred rooster the boys are barred and the girls aren't. (Of course, if you have non-barred hens you could also end up with non-barred male chicks, it's just that any barred chicks would HAVE to be male).

But beyond that, yes, the barred chickens are cockerels and the solid chickens are pullets.

 

[Atchurch]

He's mixed with RIR. His dad was RIR and mom is one of the BR girls. Then, I have a stray that my sister brought out here, who is a blond little girl. So the blond pullet has to be hers. So, are you saying that the blond one is also probably male because there are some bars? Right now, I have one full-grown boy and 9 full-grown girls. So, I can really only keep one male. So this bites if I have two more.