Easter Egger Sexing "tips and tricks" *Pictures Included* - Page 123

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Originally Posted by featherz 

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Originally Posted by DMRippy 

Well I would think the crowing is giving him a way.  I think maybe he is crossed with a barred rock.... he has barring in his hackles and the yellow legs, both make me think BR is in that mix too.

 I think it's a roo. 11 weeks, right? Too young for saddles really - I have 11 week old roos and they aren't even that red in the comb and haven't gotten their saddles in yet either. Part the feathers on the rear and see if you see any shinies coming in. :)

^^This. I didn't even think of looking at Donna. :P

But yes, with the big red comb and wattles I'm pretty sure you've got a cockerel there. And like featherz said, 11 weeks is too young for finding obvious saddle feathers.

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Originally Posted by Lothiriel 

^^This. I didn't even think of looking at Donna. :P

 

But yes, with the big red comb and wattles I'm pretty sure you've got a cockerel there. And like featherz said, 11 weeks is too young for finding obvious saddle feathers.

Yah, I have a few roos that get them early but right now I have hmm.. three extra roosters in my coop and none have saddles yet. They are 12-13 weeks old. I can still tell they are boys due to coloring however. :) 

Remember this guy from way back on this thread? He was about 10-11 weeks here and if you didn't see those red patches you'd probably say girl (as a matter of fact everyone did at first).. =)  He's now my main man!

Very helpful photos!  I couldn't catch Donna, but I caught Amelia and everyone is right. Saddle feathers are coming in, I just couldn't see them yet. Donna looks almost exactly like your boy - except for the feathered legs, and our chicken has a much redder comb and wattle.  To top it off, I've seen Amelia and Donna go "toe to toe" on more than one occasion.  When it starts getting dark, and they all get tired, I'm gonna try to catch Donna and check the feathers, but I'm thinking we've got Rory and Mickey. (Keeping with our Doctor Who theme.)

One pullet out of the three. Bummer, but oh well. That's life!  For me, this has been very educational. 

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Originally Posted by Flowerbh 
 

That would be on their back, a couple inches before the tail. :)

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Originally Posted by Jenn1399 

That close up photo of the separated feathers - seeing the pointy hackle feathers - where is that on the bird?? <>

Also, notice whether or not they are shiny and pointy.  Females get saddle feathers, too, but they are rounded.   Here is a good photo someone posted that is helpful. The feathers on either end are female.  The pointy ones in the middle are males.  Males also have irridesent saddle feathers.  Don't confuse pointed looking pattern because if you look close at some of those, you might find that it is only the pattern that is pointy looking and that it is actually a rounded feather with really light colors on the sides of the feather.  (Did I make sense in trying to describe that?)  Some people get a piece of paper and hold it beneath the feather to actually tell the whole shape of the feather and not just see the pattern of the feather.  Anyway, hope this helps.

Poor Rose!  That's excatly why I don't want a roo!!!  I found out yesterday that I do have one for sure.  Will try to find a home for him.  Booo.  He is so sweet right now!   I just started laughing to myself...was thinking....too bad we can't send our husbands "to another farm"  when they act up!!!  LOL

Sorry about poor Rose! Are those the only three chickens you have? Maybe once Rose feels better you can get two more pullets so she won't be lonely.  I would try to get them a couple weeks younger than she is, that way she has a shot at being top of the pecking order.