Sexing Barred Rocks

[NoCoChick]

I too believe I have a Barred Rock rooster which is such a bummer because I love him so much!! He's the most gorgeous friendliest one out of all of my chickies. But at 7 weeks he has the very bright distinct bars and a prominent comb that's beginning to pink up. I live within town limits and roosters are not allowed. So I am in a pickle with what to do with him. I'm new to BYC so I apologize if I'm writing this in the wrong place lol I'll figure it out eventually. Any ideas for my gorgeous roo???

 

[beginnergirl]

I too believe I have a Barred Rock rooster which is such a bummer because I love him so much!! He's the most gorgeous friendliest one out of all of my chickies. But at 7 weeks he has the very bright distinct bars and a prominent comb that's beginning to pink up. I live within town limits and roosters are not allowed. Any ideas for my gorgeous roo???[/quote]

Can you post a picture? I thought I had a rooster, but was told here she is a pullet.

 

[elissamay]

Is that the one you're talking about as your profile photo? If yes, at 7 weeks I would say roo for sure. Comb and wattles both quite obvious!

As for rehoming, you could look around on the forums here, as well as looking on Craigslist or other local groups (Facebook actually has a good number of local swap groups you can find). You would want to personally check out anyone offering to rehome your roo on the 'Web to know that it will be treated the way you intend -- whether for a meal or as a pet. Did you buy him from someone locally? If so, you could ask if they could take him.

 

[NoCoChick]

Yes mam that's "him" lol. I haven't figured out how to upload photos into my posts so I just my avatar instead. Great ideas by the way! I definitely do NOT want him to end up on someone's table!! So finding him a loving home is the direction I'm heading in. I ordered all hens and I'm pretty sure I have ended up with 2 Roos lol- this one and possibly my partridge rock too. That one also has a very prominent red comb.

 

[elissamay]

I am very new to chicken keeping, so i do hope an expert can chime in. You have a fair amount of time before "he" starts crowing or laying!

 

[TCritters]

Since you are all so good at this I'm going to throw my two pics in. We aren't sure if we have a roo or not??? Both chicks are supposed to be 9 1/2 weeks at this point. Thanks in advance!

Velma & Daphne (or Fred?)
Daphne (Fred?)

 

[junebuggena]

Fred is a cockerel.

 

[TCritters]

Fred is a cockerel.

What makes you say that? His comb was bright red and has now lightened up while Velma is just starting to turn darker. He has not crowed that I have heard yet. I'm still in denial lol! This chick got some extra attention from me early on with a poopy butt problem that we got past. He's pretty skittish, actually both my BR are. My other girls (Americaunas & Rhodes) are friendly and now come to me and hop up.

 

[junebuggena]

For one, he has a bigger comb than any of my pullets did at 12 weeks. He also has big red wattles. His barring pattern is classic Barred Rock rooster as well. The white bands are thick, and the black bands are much more narrow than your pullet's. All of that, plus the fact that he is twice the size of other one all say that he is, in fact, a he.

 

[TCritters]

For one, he has a bigger comb than any of my pullets did at 12 weeks. He also has big red wattles. His barring pattern is classic Barred Rock rooster as well. The white bands are thick, and the black bands are much more narrow than your pullet's. All of that, plus the fact that he is twice the size of other one all say that he is, in fact, a he.

Thank you for the description.

I will know what to look for in the future. I think in my heart I knew as soon as that comb and wattle sprouted he was a he! LOL