Sexing two week old barred rock chicks

[rek9]

Hello!

Recently purchased my first two chickens ever from a local breeder who sold me what he stated were two week old pullets. He determines sex by feather length which after some research on my end might not be the most reliable way. Just wanted to ask some folks who would know a lot more on this subject than me. Hoping their both pullets due to not being allowed to own a rooster where I live and these two BR’s were gifts to my two young daughters and would hate to have to get rid of one or both. FYI getting two Easter Eggers, one white leghorn, and a golden laced Wyandotte very soon! Girls are totally pumped! Thanks for your help!

 

[Pyxis]

Feather length doesn't work unless he on purpose crossed parents with the proper genetics to make it work, and if they're purebred then I'm sure that didn't happen.

However, barred rocks CAN be sexed with some accuracy by their markings and coloring. Here's the bad news: based on that, I think you have two cockerels.

A pullet will have a nice, well defined head spot and dark black wash down her legs. Males will have less defined, more spread out head spots and little to no wash. Yours seem to have the latter traits.

When they feather in even more, it will be more apparent. Males are double barred, so they are a lot lighter than females. Based on what I can see of the feather coloring so far, that also makes me think male on your chicks.

 

[PachecoPeeps]

Feather length doesn't work unless he on purpose crossed parents with the proper genetics to make it work, and if they're purebred then I'm sure that didn't happen.

However, barred rocks CAN be sexed with some accuracy by their markings and coloring. Here's the bad news: based on that, I think you have two cockerels.

A pullet will have a nice, well defined head spot and dark black wash down her legs. Males will have less defined, more spread out head spots and little to no wash. Yours seem to have the latter traits.

When they feather in even more, it will be more apparent. Males are double barred, so they are a lot lighter than females. Based on what I can see of the feather coloring so far, that also makes me think male on your chicks.

X2

 

[rek9]

Feather length doesn't work unless he on purpose crossed parents with the proper genetics to make it work, and if they're purebred then I'm sure that didn't happen.

However, barred rocks CAN be sexed with some accuracy by their markings and coloring. Here's the bad news: based on that, I think you have two cockerels.

A pullet will have a nice, well defined head spot and dark black wash down her legs. Males will have less defined, more spread out head spots and little to no wash. Yours seem to have the latter traits.

When they feather in even more, it will be more apparent. Males are double barred, so they are a lot lighter than females. Based on what I can see of the feather coloring so far, that also makes me think male on your chicks.

Interesting, thanks for the facts, sorry my pics aren’t great. One bird has a small white spot while the other has a much larger white section (can’t even call it a spot) on its head with lighter colored feet. The one with the small spot does have black wash on its legs. Pretty sure I have at least one roo, still holding out hope for at least one female. Thanks

 

[rek9]

Also, these birds were advertised as pullets at just under two weeks of age. Is that even possible at that age?

 

[chuckachucka]

Looking suspiciously like two cockerels to me too. In another couple of weeks it should be more obvious.

 

[Pyxis]

Also, these birds were advertised as pullets at just under two weeks of age. Is that even possible at that age?

Possible that he could know they were pullets?

 

[rek9]

Possible that he could know they were pullets?

Sorry for the confusion, just wondering if this guy was just trying to get rid of some roosters by saying they were pullets

 

[Pyxis]

Sorry for the confusion, just wondering if this guy was just trying to get rid of some roosters by saying they were pullets

Could be, if he knew how to sex barred rocks by their markings like I described above.

 

[rek9]

Thanks for all the help, I will continue to follow up with more pics as they age here in the near future