Who wants to sex my Blue and Black Copper Marans???

I have attached the following pics of my Blue and Black Copper Marans. They all are approximately 4-5 weeks old. Just curious what everyone thinks… This is the first time I will have this breed. Chicks 1-4 are all about the same size, 5 is smaller, 6 is the runt. The runt acts fine, just smaller than the rest. I don't think I will use this breeder again. I know there are genetic issues that we can not control, but my chickens are my pets & entertainment, so who cares if they have a "janky" toe. They get around fine so far. 2 out of 6??? I look forward to everyone's thoughts!!!


Chick #1: "Toeby." He had a fused toe that a friend and I separated. I do not plan to breed these chicks as of now. If I do, I will not use him, but definitely keep him. I say him b/c I think he is a roo. His feet/legs are pretty big. His stance may give it away.



Chick #2. Female by stance? I don't know. Comb is larger and slightly pink.



Chick #3. Roo? This chick has an outer toe that is not developing like the rest. No toenail, smaller. Stance of a roo?



Chick #4. I have no clue. Comb pink and bigger compared to 5 & 6.



Chick #5. Smaller comb compared to 1-4.



Chick #6. The runt. Smaller comb compared to 1-4.

Given the size and redness of the combs at 4-5 weeks, I'm thinking chicks 1-4 are all cockerels. Chicks 5 & 6 appear to be your only pullets.

That is what my husband & I were thinking. Well, try & sell a couple of them!

I agree with Michael OShay....with watch #1, you might be lucky and that might be a faster maturing female, but 2, 3 and 4 are males for certain.

5 and 6 are your pullets.

Marans telecast pretty early for males...and the comb is the give away...all Marans stand a bit higher than other chickens in stance.

As for the toe issues...that might be genetic, which of course that would breed forward, so you shouldn't use that stock. However, crooked toes can also be caused by humidity or temperature factors in the incubation. In that case, it would not be genetic but safe to breed forward.

I would see if anyone else from that breeder has had genetic issues....if the breeder is using too close a flock, then yes, in successive generations you will get issues. But Marans are fairly wide spread now, and not rare. I've not had any genetic issues with Marans (while my Isbars were another story).

LofMc

I agree, number 1 is iffy, then next 3 are cockerels, the last two are pullets.

I would say one is iffy but I am leaning more forwards Pullet 2-4 cockerel 5-6 pullet