Update on my 'pullets' - thoughts?

[BusyBearMama]

They're 16 weeks now

This bird is a pullet for sure

I think this one is... The combs look similar and I'm a big oh the comb looks similar person... That said ... You look at the legs and tail & coloring yourself, I haven't kept barred rocks before so? But when I look at them side by side based on my knowledge of barring I wonder a bit, so possibly a cockerel I guess?

this is them side by side . Definitely a much lighter bird- they're hatchery (mcmurry) so I don't know if that matters...

these are the production NH reds, they're both pullets I think... I really think their combs would be much bigger by now if they weren't. How early do these birds lay I'm thinking these two are getting close.

the buff orp in the back is a pullet for sure but the one in front of its comb reddened very early and I don't know

this ones comb got red early too but seems girly to me but I don't know either

and this one unless I'm confusing it with the above bird was the 3rd to get reddening in the comb but boy do these 3 run around, they're getting big big big.
Thoughts?

 

[Blackberry18]

I'm thinking you have a pair of Barred Rocks, the cockerel is lighter and has saddle feathers.
The Production Reds/hatchery Rhode Islands Reds both look like pullets (they look pretty good, quality plumage).
I'm thinking the Buff Orpingtons are both pullets.

 

[AldenK]

They kinda all look like pulleys but you really want be able to tell till 6 to 8 months

 

[Blackberry18]

They kinda all look like pulleys but you really want be able to tell till 6 to 8 months

By then, they'll be practically full-grown. 10 - 12 weeks is the best age to know for sure, but on some, 8 weeks is old enough. Then, of course, I love the chicks that can be auto-sexed at birth.

 

[BusyBearMama]

Thank you All for responding. Blackberry18 those are my thoughts exactly with the rock. That bird was the smallest of the group and I joked it would be a cockerel because that's what happens when they need extra tlc. Its name is Pajama, he or she feathered in faster than the pullet which made me think girl because a lot of breeds the pullets do that... and those saddle feathers popped right up pretty young but I've yet to hear a crow or anything out of this bird or to see it try and go after the girls. By now I thought for sure it would be clearer. The front of the legs are darkish which made me think girl and the comb isn't very large so it does make me wonder, hatchery stock can be tougher I think personally but I do think that its a strong possibility this one at least is a cockerel. I only have one other cockerel that I know for sure and I heard him crow today at just 6 weeks ... He's in my basement and quite a feisty little guy. But anyway also thank you for saying nice things about the reds. I really like them and they're already the size I think they're meant to be. I was very worried they'd be iffy but we have been quite pleased, they don't like to be picked up though which is only an issue if they need to be taken anywhere and honestly they usually handle it themselves. They're very tough, our other birds are all rather gentle but these guys are pretty sure they're gonna take whatever you have- high interest in shiney things ... I don't recommend wearing earrings around them. But they are very nice looking and I think they'll lay first of the group, they are starting to act really like hens. Keeping an eye on Pajama, if he's a cockerel he's pretty relaxed so he might make a decent rooster. Or be one of those roosters that sits in the nest box all day and never does his job time will tell I guess- likely eggs in the next month I'm thinking maybe

 

[junebuggena]

Both barred Rocks look like pullets. By 16 weeks a cockerel would be obvious, with male saddle feathers and all. There can be a lot of variation in hatchery quality barred Rocks.
These are two of my girls. They were about 12 weeks old in this picture. Even though one looks much lighter than the other, they have proven to both be girls.

 

[donrae]

All pullets.

 

[BusyBearMama]

Cool I sure hope they're all pullets! That would be great!

 

[keesmom]

All pullets.

I agree.