Wrong Sex, Sex-Link

[wwdubose]

I'm not sure how it happened, but the hatchery managed to fowl up my order. I ordered a total of nine pullets of various breeds, including one red star pullet. Instead of a red star pullet, I received the cockerel pictured below (1 month of age). At first I thought it might be a red star cockerel, but the lady at the hatchery thinks it might be either a white leghorn cockerel or white rock cockerel. She said that even a red star cockerel will have a little red in its feathers.

I guess time will tell, but chime in and let me know what you think.

 

[luvmypets]

Red link cockerals are often white with brown hackle feathers

 

[luvmypets]

 

[keesmom]

I agree with the lady from the hatchery. Looks like either a Leghorn or Rock.

 

[wwdubose]

Had hopes that it was a red star roo, but I think you're right. I hear leghorn roos can be a little mean. Not sure about a white rock roo. I never planned on keeping a rooster, but I might give him a chance to prove their reputation wrong.

 

[wwdubose]

We know it is not a red star roo and if I had to pick between a leghorn and and white rock, I'm placing my bets that it's a white rock. Reason I think that, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that I'm assuming the hatchery keeps all like breeds in individual incubation trays. Since a leghorn would have been a white egg, there's less of a chance it would have gotten mixed in with a tray of brown white rock eggs. Whereas, I can see a brown white rock egg getting placed in a tray of red star eggs. Of course this logic still doesn't explain how I got a roo of any breed when ordering a red star pullet.

 

[draye]

I'm saying Leghorn. Look a his earlobes, if they're white then it is a Leghorn.

 

[Michael OShay]

I'm with draye on this one. I don't see any hint of red in his earlobes. I think it's a White Leghorn.

 

[wwdubose]

I'm saying Leghorn. Look a his earlobes, if they're white then it is a Leghorn.

Excellent point. I forgot about the earlobes. Last time I had it out, I couldn't detect red or white, but wasn't looking close. I'll compare it to the other chicks, which should all be red.

 

[donrae]

I'm not so sure it's not a red sex link rooster. This photo (stolen from Fred's Hens, not my pic) is a good example of male vs female, and I'm not seeing any color on the cockerel, yet.

It doesn't really matter at this point, though, because by the time he's old enough to breed, if that's your purpose, you'll know for sure what breed or mix he is. At 5-6 months you'll well be able to tell a Leghorn from a Rock from a RSL.