Rooster?

[tdepointe]

I bought a dozen production red pullets. I think one is a rooster, they are now 10 weeks.


Is this a rooster?

 

[sourland]

That is a cockerel.

 

[Michael OShay]

That is a cockerel.

I agree. (

 

[tdepointe]

Thanks for the responses. That is what I thought, I have had well over 200 hens over the years that I had bought as pullets and never a single rooster until now. I change hatcheries because the one I was using had a larger minimum order than I wanted at this time. I had always had over 50 birds so minimum were no issue. This is my first time with only 12 bird, new home and no big coop. I am sure it will grow, just not to start with.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

That's amazing that you were able to purchase 200 chicks over the years and not one ended up being a rooster...most hatcheries only guarantee 90 to 95%...if I buy 10, I have been certain to get at least 1 roo...this last time I bought 2 feedstore "sexed" chicks and both were roosters.

And yes, as you've confirmed from the others, that is a rooster.

Good luck in your new home and re-growing your flock.

LofMc

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks for the responses. That is what I thought, I have had well over 200 hens over the years that I had bought as pullets and never a single rooster until now. I change hatcheries because the one I was using had a larger minimum order than I wanted at this time. I had always had over 50 birds so minimum were no issue. This is my first time with only 12 bird, new home and no big coop. I am sure it will grow, just not to start with.

You're welcome, and I agree with LofMc; well over 200 purchased chicks with no roosters is an amazing stretch.

 

[tdepointe]

I always used Murray McMurray and had red star

 

[CochinLover1]

Yes, cockerel for sure. The wing coverts are lustrous. He's also growing saddles. Both too feathers.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I always used Murray McMurray and had red star

Oh, there's your reason...you had Red Sex Links rather than Production Reds.

Red Sex Links are hybrids of a silver based hen (usually Delaware or White Rock) and a red based roo (commonly RIR or NH) to produce chicks that are color coded....females come out reddish/fawn while the males are pale yellow.

I'm not surprised you purchased that many and didn't get a rooster...just shows Murray McMurray was keeping their hybrids carefully and nobody was color blind during sorting.

Production Reds are not sex linked; both chicks come out with the same down color...typically all yellow-orange, often with a pale chipmunk stripe. You have to depend upon early vent sexing and that is only about 90 to 95% accurate.

I have purchased plenty of GSL, RSL, BSL, by all names and flavors and have never had a rooster in the lot either....the really nice thing about sex links as long as nobody mixes the bins at the hatchery or the feed store with another same color chick that is a breed not sex-linked.

LofMc

 

[Michael OShay]

Oh, there's your reason...you had Red Sex Links rather than Production Reds.

Red Sex Links are hybrids of a silver based hen (usually Delaware or White Rock) and a red based roo (commonly RIR or NH) to produce chicks that are color coded....females come out reddish/fawn while the males are pale yellow.

I'm not surprised you purchased that many and didn't get a rooster...just shows Murray McMurray was keeping their hybrids carefully and nobody was color blind during sorting.

Production Reds are not sex linked; both chicks come out with the same down color...typically all yellow-orange, often with a pale chipmunk stripe. You have to depend upon early vent sexing and that is only about 90 to 95% accurate.

I have purchased plenty of GSL, RSL, BSL, by all names and flavors and have never had a rooster in the lot either....the really nice thing about sex links as long as nobody mixes the bins at the hatchery or the feed store with another same color chick that is a breed not sex-linked.

LofMc

X2 on LofMc's post.