Sexing Rhode Island Red - 6 weeks

[Snoogie]

Right now the RIR weighs around 435g at 6 weeks. Can't really tell but I'm getting a bit nervous that she a he.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Comb is still orange so that's a good sign. If it turns pink and gets larger over the next few weeks I might worry, otherwise it looks like a pullet.

 

[chicks are life]

X2

 

[Snoogie]

Comb is still orange so that's a good sign. If it turns pink and gets larger over the next few weeks I might worry, otherwise it looks like a pullet.

That is good news. I was a little startled by the hinting of black feathers on her tail.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

x3

 

[sawilliams]

For 6w the tail is pretty well defined for a cockerel, most pictures I've seen the tail will stay much smaller untill rooster feathers come in. As for the black markings (again early for rooster feathers) if its any sort of possible mix (chicks from a feed store are often mixed breed to increase laying or grieing) she could get her black from the other breed. Often times they will out cross a breed to a heavy layer like longhorns then select back down to more classics looking of the target breed before putting them back in to the egg line. You would have to go to a breeder for true to show quality hens.

My rir (better know as a production red) has black in her tail too. My 2 other rir look nothing to fit the bill, lots of gold and black through out this wings and tails. All were from feed stores.

 

[Snoogie]

For 6w the tail is pretty well defined for a cockerel, most pictures I've seen the tail will stay much smaller untill rooster feathers come in. As for the black markings (again early for rooster feathers) if its any sort of possible mix (chicks from a feed store are often mixed breed to increase laying or grieing) she could get her black from the other breed. Often times they will out cross a breed to a heavy layer like longhorns then select back down to more classics looking of the target breed before putting them back in to the egg line. You would have to go to a breeder for true to show quality hens.

My rir (better know as a production red) has black in her tail too. My 2 other rir look nothing to fit the bill, lots of gold and black through out this wings and tails. All were from feed stores.

Awesome information, thank you so much.

 

[drumstick diva]

I think pullet. Of course I am in my 12 th. day of having vertigo, so I can't turn my head to see pictures that aren't upright

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

That looks like a little pullet!

 

[Snoogie]

That looks like a little pullet!

golly, at ~500grams I feel like she's huge already, I can't imagine how much bigger she's going to get. Also I have cochins, and I suspect they may make my red to feel lilipucien.