sexing 5 week old Barred Rocks

[dogterw]

I'm thinking roo.

 

[Fred's Hens]

pics

OK, let's finish this lesson. I hope you don't mind, as I've been doing this for over 50 years. This is a cockerel. Bright white barring, and the comb is already pinking up.

 

[Fred's Hens]

This is a pullet. Yellow comb, and cuckoo or spotty barring and long tail.

 

[Fred's Hens]

While this one doesn't show as much pink in the comb, (yet) it will in another week. The bright white barring? Cockerel.

Once you fix these differences in your mind's eye, you'll sex 99% of them at 5-6 weeks. Sure, there may be that stinker 1% of the time that forces you to wait awhile longer, but those aren't that common. Thanks for being such a good student.

 

[dogterw]

Thank you so much. I 've lurked on the boards and finally got brave enough to post. The middle picture is one of the pullets...at least I think it's a pullet.

 

[dogterw]

Thanks for being a great teacher! We have 3 pullets and 1 cockerel. I'm afraid Little Emma is Little Elmo. I guess he's going to have to find a new home out in the country :-(. Thanks again. This board is awesome!

 

[Fred's Hens]

You've got two cockerels according to the photos. If you wish, put all your photos up into one post. OK?

 

[JesNflock]

Hey Fred's Hens, can you take a look at my BR? Pullet or Roo? Here are some pics..






Here's a newer/better pic of his/her comb...(looking pretty pink) and based on what I read above I'm thinking ROO...?

 

[chickiemama27]

Likely.

Add to your observation these differences. Once your eye is trained to see them, you'll easily sex Barred Rock chicks at 5-6 weeks of age.

See how the cockerels are whiter because of their double gene for barring? See how the pullets look darker? Notice how the cockerels are quick to sprout red combs and wattles? Pullets don't do that until much, much later.

Here's a photo of a hatchery quality pair and a true bred to the Standard Barred Rocks. What do you see?

I see what you are talking about here. I posted in another thread about our six week old barred rock. Do you think she’s a pullet? Her developed comb made me wonder if might be a rooster (below two images)