Wellsummers, Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks ... 15 weeks old

[hvntgtaclu]

I've been wanting to do a backyard flock but wasn't sure I'd be able to swing it. Took my son to the local Mom and pop farm supply for a chicken chat that they hosted with a representative from a major feed company. Went for information only and to my wife's surprise… came home with chicks! She was out for the day with my daughter at a baby shower… It's been an awesome 15 weeks hand raising them, getting set up and enjoying these birds. I have been stressing heavily thinking that 3 of them were roosters. Township ordinance says they have to go if they are. Birds are not pedigreed so I'm not even fully sure they are the exact breed I was told. Doesn't really matter to me though, they are 1st and foremost beloved pets. After poring over
countless posts and age progression pictures I am now feeling somewhat confident they are girls. Hope so! Any help would be greatly appreciated on their genders. Check out my sweeties!

Two of each breed

 

[crazychickenlady55]

I’m going to say all gals

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

All lovely pulleta

 

[hvntgtaclu]

I should add most of the information was right here on this forum. Info that helped the most was regarding the shape of the feathers.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I should add most of the information was right here on this forum. Info that helped the most was regarding the shape of the feathers.

Important to note feather shape really only just became reliable for your birds.....male saddle/hackle structure only emerges around 12-14 weeks, prior to that both sexes have rounded feathering. It's important to assess any characteristic relative to the age of bird as the difference of just two weeks can take what you see from pointing to male to female/vice versa.

The welsummers are easily sexed as male and female plumage are very different....some lines are sexable at hatch, but, despite often being listed as autosexing, outside of specific lines they generally aren't really reliably autosexing, especially hatchery stock...by 3 weeks chest feathering develops and that is when you know for sure.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

The two Welsummers are girls. Salmon-colored chest is the giveaway.

 

[cstephens1987]

Pullets. Congrats

 

[janiedoe]

They are beauties. You should be getting some really nice eggs in a few weeks. I wish you and your family many years of happy chicken keeping!

 

[Rietta]

They all look like pullets to me too, my barred rocks are such naughty birds. They fly over the fence leaving all my other mixed flock to watch. That being said the follow me around chatting with me during chores. Enjoy your girls!

 

[hvntgtaclu]

I’m going to say all gals

Thank you!