I am a ROOKIE back yard chicken brood owner. Are there any early signs that would help determine the sex of juvenile Barred Rocks. We have 23 chickens, some of which are starting to lay. I would like to weed out the roosters for slaughter and to minimize the amount of feed we're utilizing for those males.

We were rookies just 2 years ago, and still have a lot to learn, but we do know a few things about sexing Barred Rocks. We have had a flock of 50 or so, and they're great, aren't they? Here's what we look for (as early as 2 weeks, even our kids can spot the roosters from the hens): 'Rooster-chicks' are a) taller b) longer-legged c) whiter (we don't know why) d) and often more aggressive - you'll see them 'facing off' with each other quite early. 'Hen-chicks' look darker and rounder. Also, of course, male chicks' combs are bigger quite early. By the way, if they're old enough for slaughter these traits would be even more obvious. Hope this helps. Have fun!

Hi,I keep barred rocks in standard and bantams up here in Canada.I have always heard and noticed that the hens tend to have a more solid black head while males tend to have the large white spot(this is in day old chicks up until they start to feather out.)Also the cockerals tend to be a lighter shade of bar then the females when they have feathered out .this has something to do with the genetic make up of barred rocks .the female carries a double gene which is why she is darker.I hope that I have been of some assistance............John Gohm

Hi, I just got three barred rock chicks all are suposed to be pullets. They are 5 days old. Two have a black stripe on their beak and a small yellow puff on their wings. The other one has no stripe and has a row of yellow/white feathers on the front edge of it's wings. Would this indicate that it is a cockeral or that it is older? All are the same size all have the same size spot on their heads. The feed store said that they only order pullets and the supplier said 95% certainty. Could it be a mixed breed? Tanks for any help....Rebecca

I have six Barred Rock chicks. They are all about two weeks old. I am worried that all of them might be cockerals because they all have white spots on their heads. Is this ture? Any advice would be helpful.Thanks...Belle

Hi I have 4 Barred rock chicks that are 7 weeks old.I think I might have a male . Because it has more spots, it's bigger then the others. Any advice would be helpful. Thans...mathieu

I am new at this foul stuff and I have 4 chicks, 2 Barred rock and 2 reds, and I think one of my Barred Chicks is a roster. He has a different comb and acts bossier and bolder than the other 3. I am raising them for fresh eggs and pets, and I would like to know.

I have two Barred Rock pullets and they both had white spots on their head. They are definatly females. I don't think the spot is a determining factor.

For those of you who do not know, "barred" is a distinctive color / pattern consisting of black and white "bars" on the feathers. Although the Plymouth Rock is the most well known breed of barred chickens, many other breeds exist, such as the Delaware and Dominique. All chicks that will have barred coloring will have a white or yellow spot on the top of the head, both males and females. However, not all chicks with a spot on their head will be barred; certain other color patterns will also have chick with spotted heads.