Freaky legs and tail and colors in sexing Barred Rocks.

These are the three Barred Plymouth Rock chicks I got from a huge bin of BPR at the feedstore. They were the only three with distinct head spots--supposedly a good indicator of pulletness in Barred birds including Marans. But two weeks later it looks more like 2 roos and a pullet. Distinguishing features: Comb size, intensity of color (darker is suppose to be pullety), tail length (my own experience pullet's grow longer pointier tails), head spot size and definition, general robustness, combative behaviour (guess which is which) and freaky leg pull.

Based on longer tail, smaller comb, darker color , defined head spot, smaller stature, sweet nature and one leg pull--this is a pullet. Right?

This message was edited Oct 5, 2008 7:07 PM

But if you notice her legs are actually dark grey--Barred Rocks are suppose to have yellow legs. Marans seem to have either light or slate colored legs--Could she be a Marans mixed in with BR?

Here is one of the supposed roos doing the same leg pull--all the chicks do it.

Here are all three, showing differences in color and combs:

Little girl's color, tail and odd leg color:

This message was edited Oct 5, 2008 4:26 PM

"Boys" colors and tails. One has what I consider a very rooy chick tail--very short and square. The other has a more intermediate one.

Better comparison of the two roos(?) tails.

All three together again. The two maybe roos spar a great deal--with each other.

So based on head spot and leg pull, all are pullets (maybe they are PBR pullets and the other is a Marans pullet?)

But based on relative comb development, plumage color, tail size/shape, size and behaviour: two are roos and one is an atypical BPR pullet?

Help!

Whoops, forgot the picture.

This message was edited Oct 5, 2008 2:34 PM

Here they are.

they are so cute

They are very cute and funny--the little girl steals things and runs around with them--just scraps of paper and wood chips. The maybe roos do the whole ruffled neck charging each other thing.

I think my roo detector still needs refinement. Where is Josh? He is suppose to be working on one.

I let my Jap. bantam chicks ut for the first time today. They just loved it.

Were they on the grass?

Yes, they spent the day running around in the grass

I'd like to let mine out on the grass--but since my "big chickens" are running free on it, I'm afraid there might be too much cocci for the babies. I love to see them the first time on grass--they are so amazed and excited!

My hubby built them their own yard, so i didn't have to worry

Good hubby.

^_^

From your group shot Catscan I'd say you had two roos and one little gal !

MollyD

Looks like it to me, too:0(

I'm sure you've seen this link before.. but it's another helpful one..

http://www.dominiquechicken.com/Sexing_Dominique_chicks.html

I hadn't seen that site before and it definitely helps with the pullet having dark legs. Thanks!

Cool.. I love it when I can help!

I think the dark legs thing helps with Ameracaunas too.. seems like the chicks that flipped as pullets have the beautiful blue/green legs..

I think it's fun to try to figure out the sex.. Even if it's just for fun.. to write or type it and then go back when it's clearly determined and see if I was right.. I can't wait!!!!

Catscan, sorry, my vote is 2 roos and a pullet.

My barred rock crosses that were hens had either no head spot at all, or a small, distinct head spot. Larger and less defined head spots were roos. Combs definitely look roo-ish to me.

the jury's still out on mine...the ones with roo-y legs have pullety tails, roo-y combs, and stick one leg out, roo-y headspots...eggs were marked female...the ones with the pullety legs have roo-y tails, pullety combs and coloring, and the one from the M marked egg sticks both legs out, F marked egg switches. So by all the signs I have four transsexual chickens.

(collapsing in fit of giggles about transsexual chickens)

Too funny Grow!!!!!!

I have to admit.. reading that 3 times didn't help to understand any better.. LOL Lost in laughter here..

Catscan.. my bet is 2 roos and a pullet also.

I've given up guessing. I'll post 'em again in a few days...

I am going to try to divest of the roos before I get anymore attached. Yes, Yes, I have faced the fact that they are not just very big assertive pullets. But that will leave my two week old pullet alone--I tried to introduce them to Riley the Silkie (you know how wonderfully maternal Silkies are) but she took one look at them, hopped out of the box and stalked off. I will have some new chicks this weekend--so maybe I can gradually work the BR pullet in with them as they mature.

I may just wait a week or so--it can't be good for a little pullet chick to be alone for long.

They shouldn't crow for another 16 weeks...

i've had turkens, cochins and silkies crow as young as 3-5 weeks old and seramas about 8 wks. sometimes ya know right away and not have to wait for mths.

Got you beat on the crowin I've had my old english crow at 1 week.

Okay.. my son swears one of my RIRs is crowing... I think it sounds more like singing.. it's more like the lil chirps they make at bedtime.. but steady.. This lil chick rocks back, sticks it lil head up and sings.. a long sweet lil chirppppp (like when you roll your r's)

Ruffels have RRRRidges..

The youngest i ever had was a pheonix roo that i knew he was a roo when he was 2 days old he would let out this ear splitting whistle so naturaly we called him "Whis"

rotfl and i thought 3 weeks was bad. mine sounded like an antique car horn that ooogle sound,lol.

My Dearest Catscan,

It seems you rec'd an error from the Privett Hatchery. They didn't have enough PBRs to fill your store's order, so did a little substituting with other barred chicks. Sex-links included.

Terribly sorry about the mix-up. I was busy back East at the time. But this was an interesting experiment; hope you had fun and learned some valuable lessons.

Truly Yours,
******
CF

I understand, Oh Great CF, and I appreciate the opportunity to advance the art of non-hybrid sex-linked identification on my own. Such trust, such condescention. I am honored.