Same old cliche. Is it a woman or a man.

[My Bagurks]

Hi guys.
im Farley new to the chicken game, but I’m trying to dove in head first. I got Rhode Island Reds to start off my flock and built the run and coop as they grew in their brooder. They are about 19 weeks old now and I think I may have some roosters. Three of them have a much more pronounced combs and waddles. There isn’t any noticeable size or temperament difference between those three and the rest though. Really, the only differences are the combs and waddles. I’d like to figure out if they are, in fact roosters or not. I’ve had a hard time finding something definitive online. I am posting pictures to see what you think. Thanks for the help.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

A hen. Their combs and wattles get redder when they hit laying age.

 

[My Bagurks]

A hen. Their combs and wattles get redder when they hit laying age.

Thanks for the quick response. You seem pretty sure. The other 6 are the same age but are quite different. Here’s what the rest look like

 

[Oncoming Storm]

Hens have round soft looking saddle feathers where roosters have thin, pointy, shiny saddle feathers that are a different texture than the body. She might just be a early bloomer.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Yup. Pullets at point of lay. Should see eggs soon.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

All girls. By 19 weeks your chickens should have developed pointed, hanging saddle feathers and would most likely be crowing if they were boys. All the feathers on these ladies are round.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Agree with other posters. All three are girls. You can look froward to eggs soon!

 

[My Bagurks]

Good deal. Thanks guys. Unanimous votes are always convincing. I’m looking forward to our first eggs. I’m hoping it’s sooner rather than later.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Here, these two were siblings from the same hatch, about 12-14 weeks? Obviously not the same breed as yours but still. See the difference in the shape of the feathers behind the wings? The boys feathers are longer, droopier with pointed tips, like a mop of hair. The same is true on the neck but that's harder to see. The hens are neat and rounded and tight. This should be really obvious around 12 weeks. Most of my boys start crowing by 14 weeks. So by 19 weeks you should always see some really obvious signs of male VS female.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

This picture is good too but shows adult birds;

With the exception of weird things like chimeras this is pretty definitive.