Which Red Chicken?

[beccaporter]

We have not been able to decide what our two red chickens are. We got them in the rainbow layer mix at Murray McMurray. What do y'all think?

 

[beccaporter]

Oh, and they are almost 9 weeks old.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Production red, aka hatchery grade Rhode Island Red.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Oh, and it is likely a cockerel, just in case you wondered.

 

[beccaporter]

Thanks. What makes you say cockerel? We keep going back and forth. We have two and they had totally different tail feathers for a while, but they are more similar lately.

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

the red one pictured is a Production red (hatchery RIR) and it is a pullet if it were a rooster it's comb would be much bigger and redder by that age.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Well, it could go either way, at this point. But the big thick legs and that red comb is a lot of "showing" for an 8 1/2 week old pullet. Typically, the pullet doesn't show much of any color, still kind of yellow, until 12 to 14 weeks.

The photo was a bit fuzzy. Does this bird also show some red wattles?

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

Oh, and it is likely a cockerel, just in case you wondered.

LOL they try not to send ROOSTERS in a LAYER pack...roosters are not very good at laying...though I have heard some say they are good layers LOL

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

Well, it could go either way, at this point. But the big thick legs and that red comb is a lot of "showing" for an 8 1/2 week old pullet. Typically, the pullet doesn't show much of any color, still kind of yellow, until 12 to 14 weeks.

The photo was a bit fuzzy. Does this bird also show some red wattles?

My production reds did start showing redness at that age and started laying at 16 weeks

 

[Fred's Hens]

Here is a pair at that same age. The pullet (on top) has no red showing. The cockerel (below) has about that same amount of red comb at 8 1/2 weeks. He also has those thick legs. Not a great photo of the cockerel's head, but if you click the photo to make it larger, you can he has little starter wattles sprouting. She doesn't. But, these are heritage RIR. The production models do indeed mature more quickly.