what characteristics to look for when sexing Barred Rock

[cowtown chick]

I've had my pullets for almost one year. I have 5 and have only been getting 4 eggs each day. I have one Australorpe, 2 speckled Sussex, 1 Lace Winged Wyandotte and 1 Barred Rock. The Barred Rock has a larger comb than the others, I don't know if this is a characteristic different than other breeds or if Roosters have a larger comb. The only thing is, it will squat when I go to pet her/him. Do all chickens do that or just the females? I was just wondering why I'm only getting 4 eggs instead of 5, they are all the same age. I'm still learning this whole chicken thing.

 

[chargerpride]

Well a bigger comb and a raspy chirp could help you in finding gender and if the comb got redder faster than the rest of the other chicks at a younger age it is a roo and the hackle and saddle feathers being more pointed is a good indicator it is a roo

 

[K Spot]

Hens may or may not lay everyday, it all depends on factors like season, moulting, nutrition, day length etc.

I have 9 hens, I'm getting 2 eggs max from them a day as it's coming into winter and they're going through a moult.

 

[fried green eggs]

With five hens and the breeds you have getting 4 eggs each day is pretty good. Aust, BR and SS are pretty good producers normally 5-6 eggs each, a week. Wyandottes are good 4-5 eggs per week. They all need a rest day once in awhile. : ) You can look for pictures of BR hens and roos their coloring is different but, if you had a year old roo - you would have heard him crow by now.

 

[cowtown chick]

thanks for the input. I haven't heard and "crows", so I guess they are all females. I guess they just take turns laying eggs, they did really well over the winter considering how cold it was here. They still produced 2-3 eggs in the bitter cold.