Ideas on gender and/or breed?

I everyone! This is our first season with chickens, and I've really been enjoying reading posts on this forum. We have 7 chicks that are now 6 weeks old. I am hopeful and somewhat confident that 5 are pullets. 3 of the 7 came out of a bin at TSC that said "brown and white egg layers". One of those is definitely an easter egger pullet and the other is definitely an easter egger cockerel. The cockerel is way bigger than the others, has huge legs, a three rowed comb that is already red, and he struts around constantly like he owns the place. The for sure cockerel is in the first picture. The other pictures are of a black and white that was solid black as a tiny chick. He/she has a red comb already, but doesn't have the upright posture, large size, and big legs like the cockerel. I'm leaning towards cockerel for the black and white, but I guess I'm hopeful it's a pullet. Any thoughts/opinions? Is the black and white an easter egger or some other mix? I would love to know what you think...I'm so curious! Thanks!

You have guessed correctly - both are EE cockerels. The black and white will mature into a very striking looking bird.

Edited to say Welcome to BYC.

Yup, EE cocks.

Thank you so much for responding! So basically, that means that I have to get rid of at least one of the roosters, right? I was so hoping to have all pullets. I thought the label "egg layers" indicated they would indeed all be able to lay eggs! LOL.

hiddencreek said:

Thank you so much for responding! So basically, that means that I have to get rid of at least one of the roosters, right? I was so hoping to have all pullets. I thought the label "egg layers" indicated they would indeed all be able to lay eggs! LOL.

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If you can have roosters, don't worry about rehoming them. Since they've been raised together as hatch-mates they can buddy up to watch the flock. Its up to you though!

I agree they're both EE cockerels.

My advice would be to get rid of both of them. With that small of a flock, you're wasting valuable space and resources on a bird that's essentially a freeloader. Just cause you got Oops males doesn't mean you're morally obligated to keep the bird for it's entire life. And yes, some family members may be attached, but they'll get over it and attach just as well to some nice pullets.

If you do chose to keep males, I'd say either get rid of one bird or house the two males together, apart from the females. Two males and five females is going go make life very unpleasant for your pullets when those boys reach maturity. Their clumsy attempts at mating will likely be distressing to your family members also.

I agree whole heartedly with donrae.

Whittni said:

If you can have roosters, don't worry about rehoming them. Since they've been raised together as hatch-mates they can buddy up to watch the flock. Its up to you though!

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Bros for life...lol. Its true that some cocks will buddy up. Last year a brown leghorn and a redcap went from buddy chicks to the handsomest dou on the farm. Those two were always together with a troop of hens in tow.

donrae said:

I agree they're both EE cockerels.

My advice would be to get rid of both of them. With that small of a flock, you're wasting valuable space and resources on a bird that's essentially a freeloader. Just cause you got Oops males doesn't mean you're morally obligated to keep the bird for it's entire life. And yes, some family members may be attached, but they'll get over it and attach just as well to some nice pullets.

If you do chose to keep males, I'd say either get rid of one bird or house the two males together, apart from the females. Two males and five females is going go make life very unpleasant for your pullets when those boys reach maturity. Their clumsy attempts at mating will likely be distressing to your family members also.

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Couldn't have done a better job explaining that!! Awesome job @donrae, you are one chicken expert!! Also I agree completely!