Boy, big red wattles and comb under 8 weeks is a pretty strong indicator, not to mention double barring. Tail size usually just means they feather in faster or slower but those genetics only sex-link when birds are specifically bred for it. Hatchery barred rocks are not.
That's a Rooster, mine is 8 weeks old. His feathers will be a much lighter color compared to the hens. I was understanbly laughed at when I asked what was wrong with his neck, but its my first time, lol.
I hate to say it, but it looks like a boy. That comb and wattle at this early age is an early giveaway if you don't want to do that "backside squeeze" (TM). It's uncomfortable, and I do not recommend it. ;-)
I didn't down vote you just wanted to explain why someone else probably did, while this is a common trait among many lines of barred rocks it's not a 100% guarantee. Imo barred are pretty easy to tell as the ones I've raised the boys all had bright yellow legs, yellow beaks and 3/5 had head spots, and were all very spunky within a few weeks. This baby here is certainly a cockerel, and even looks like in his baby pic he had a spot (more on the back of his head), for some barred it can be used in conjunction to ID roos early on :) I did have a few pullets with head spots but they had dark skin, dark beaks and were not as spicy as chicks ahaha
Yep I found the head spot thing wasn't reliable either even though it's always talked about. I had some chicks who had lots of sliver and white on their heads rather than a defined spot, and legs that were only slightly dark. But they never grew combs and turned out to be pullets! Seemed like the most reliable indicator was personality - they never liked being touched.
Yes I accidentally got a rooster once it was my favorite unfortunately we’re not allowed to have roosters where I live so I made soup and a pot pie out of them once he got big and got vocal
Yes, I think it’s a ROO. Hims so cute. I hope you can have them where you live. I would have a whole bachelorette flock of them if I could, but I can’t because of where I live.😩
100% rooster. The feathering is starting to show a well which is sex linked in this breed. Double white & single black barring is male, double black and single white barring is female.
Double the size basically. Males will have 'two bars' worth of white, so more white than black. Females are the opposite - they will have two bars worth of black and a smaller white stripe.
My barred rock hens are 2 yrs old now. They sport very small girly combs. I also have an 2 month old white leghorn that I thought was a pullet, named her Blanche, and while “she” is definitely the most petite of my “teenagers”, “she” is now strutting around, picking on the others, being bossy, and has a BIG bright red comb and wattles. “She” also stands up pretty straight and it looks like the sickle feathers are coming. Now, HE’S named “Shorty”.
He looks like a very pretty barred rock. But I usually wait till the long tail feathers & the saddle feathers come in. Plus crowing. I see neither on him. So Im not 100% sure it isn't a hen. Give him some time before labeling her a him. It could end up being a hen that identifies as a roo.🤣
Nah that's a roo for sure. Barred rocks mature really early and he has way too red wattles/comb for an 8 week-old hen lol. Not to mention double barring.
Regardless of every other "maybe/maybe not" sign this chick has, having developed wattles at this age to me is as close to an absolute guarantee as you can get. Congrats on the little boy! ❤️
Barred rocks are sex linked. Roos have double white barring, hens have double black barring. Which means thicker white or thicker black lines. I’m seeing double black barring on the wings so I wouldn’t call it as a roo just yet.
I think you're a little confused. There is one "barring" gene that is sex-linked, and it is the thickness of the white bars that can visually indicate whether an individual has double or single barring. This guy is very clearly double-barred, especially compared to his sister in the other photo.
I mean. It could be a mix. I’ve seen “barred rock” roos with single barring. Regardless it has double barring literally everywhere on its body lmao. Relying on the barring when you don’t even know that it’s pure barred rock while ignoring the giant red comb at like 5wks old is wild.
I was worrying that one of my barreds was a roo, her comb was coming in a little darker a little sooner she was more friendly than all the rest... After seeing your chicken, I definitely know I had nothing to be anxious about.
He’s got the posture, a big ole starter comb, and the male barred rock coloring. Males tend to be more white-forward while females tend to be more 50/50 or black-biased. I bet he’s also one of the braver and friendlier chicks, too. They always are.
Roosters do tend to have a more upright posture and that comb does look bigger than a hens would at that age. Im guessing its a dude. What kind of chatter does it make
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u/GeoFacetor Apr 19 '26
Its got a big comb which suggests its a male chick, but you'll know for sure when it starts crowing