Sight Sexing Barred Rock and Mystery Chick (HELP!)

[hallek]

Hi, All! We just adopted two chicks (family eaten by raccoons). I’m reading about sight-sexing Barred Rocks, but am too new at this to feel confident in my assessment. Any advice would be appreciated! Also, the all black chick is a total mystery. Any idea what it could be? Thanks!!

 

[SpotTheCat]

Unless the barred rocks were bred for auto sexing it is unreliable, better to wait until they are about 6-8 weeks old and then post pictures of their combs

 

[Painted Calls]

Unless the barred rocks were bred for auto sexing it is unreliable, better to wait until they are about 6-8 weeks old and then post pictures of their combs

Agreed!

 

[timerqueen]

I have barred rocks and I learned how to sex from this very old book. https://archive.org/details/sightsexingbarre00cana

 

[Painted Calls]

I have barred rocks and I learned how to sex from this very old book. https://archive.org/details/sightsexingbarre00cana

That was probably back when they were bred better.

Hatchery BR today are not bred for anything but quantity. Even from a breeder that breeds for quality, I've heard that the head spot is at best, 80% accurate. That is being bred for that trait though.

 

[Yardmom]

The barred rock quality will affect the accuracy, but it is still at a stage where the head spot could give a clue. A small spot that does not "spread" into the black is likely a pullet. A spread out spot on the head more likely a male, but in hatchery quality, pullets are getting less distinct sports. The next stage when the barrs are clearer is where pullets are darker in appearance and cockerals appear whiter do to double barring. This may be harder to tell with one chick and would not be accurate if it is not a pure barred rock.

 

[timerqueen]

That was probably back when they were bred better.

Hatchery BR today are not bred for anything but quantity. Even from a breeder that breeds for quality, I've heard that the head spot is at best, 80% accurate. That is being bred for that trait though.

That is very true. I even tried the vent second and wasn’t 100%. I had to wait until they were about 6 weeks and then I could tell.

 

[ChickensComeHome2Roost]

I ordered pullets from Purely Poultry( they fill chick orders from various sources)They all had classic head spots and gray legs.

 

[hallek]

Thanks!! It’s slowly but surely starting to appear. I wish I knew more about their ages (well… EVERYTHING). We will see!

 

[hallek]

The barred rock quality will affect the accuracy, but it is still at a stage where the head spot could give a clue. A small spot that does not "spread" into the black is likely a pullet. A spread out spot on the head more likely a male, but in hatchery quality, pullets are getting less distinct sports. The next stage when the barrs are clearer is where pullets are darker in appearance and cockerals appear whiter do to double barring. This may be harder to tell with one chick and would not be accurate if it is not a pure barred rock.

I really appreciate your response! Thank you! The dot has me confused. It is larger than those I see in photos… but pretty symmetrical. The coloring in the wings, though, seems to be coming in dark! I’ll have to get an updated side picture. Anyway, thank you all. I’m glad I found this group!