Yikes, I think I have a ROO or TWO! What do u think?

[winniegirl]

2 of my3 BO's "pullets" from the feed store are looking not so ladylike anymore. Big Chicken is darkest, and likes to bite me. Medium Chicken is also a biter, but not so much. Both of their legs seem really big to me. Little Chicken is about a third the size of Biggie, never bites!!

It was hard to get decent pix, since Biggie kept trying to jump in my face to get in a nip or two!! They are 5 weeks old. Thank you for your expert opinions--I appreciate it.

Pix 1, Biggie side view
Pix 2, Biggie in front, Medium behind, you can see Little Chicken's tail
feather just to the right, she is going in the other kennel
Pix 3, Biggie's tail--sorry about the side view

 

[Muzzie]

Biggie has a very suspicious looking tail and looks like there are saddle feathers growing looks like my BO that I also am questioning the sex of. My other 2 BO don't have that tail.

 

[winniegirl]

Dang, that's what I thought! I only have 7 total and now 2 are boys, which I can't have where I live. HOpe I can get two more girls somewhere. Thanks so much!

 

[danielbrown]

My BO roo Has a darker color and bigger brighter comb than yours.

 

[sherrydeanne]

I wouldn't say that they're cockerals, yet. Give them a week and look for some comb and wattle growth.

 

[crackertrail]

They look more like hens than roos, though.

 

[winniegirl]

Oh good I love dissenting opinions!!

I'm keeping the faith...and fingers crossed

 

[arlee453]

I vote hens. My 5 weeker roos have red wattles coming in as well as a much brighter red comb than the girls. The girls will only have the barest hint of wattles and they are not red like the baby roos are.

By 6 weeks it's pretty obvious who the roos are in general. Once in a while one will surprise you and be a late bloomer but if they have bright red combs and wattles by then they have been roos every time.

You can't go by size at all - size is not a good indicator of gender especially that young.

You can't really go by the tail at 5 weeks in my experience either - they won't usually get distinctive roo tail/saddle feathers until they molt again around 10-12 weeks. I'm sure there's always the exception but that's been my experience.

So, my vote by looking at your pics at this point is hen - definately don't cull yet if you have to get rid of roosters - hang on at least 3-4 more weeks before you decide for sure.