No pictures of her HUGE matte/terra cotta-colored eggs at the moment, but my Meyer Welsummer is still going strong at almost 7 years of age. Thinking she still lays upon occasion, too. Very sweet girl. Highly recommend.
#1. Something mottled....most likely Ancona, but Exchequer Leghorn and Mottled Java are other options depending on source. Time will tell.
#2. What comb type?
Easter Egger cockerel - gender is based on red wing bars and pointed saddle plumage. :) The beard gene suppresses wattle growth, so he'll never sport large ones. He also has a pea comb, which is one of the smallest, most inconspicuous comb types regardless of gender.
And as for breed, true...
Hi! Your little man is simply adorable! Sounds as though there's a lot of personality in a tiny body. I love the White Face mutation dearly.....mine is a Pearl, but sadly, he's molted all his pearlies out by now. :(
Our horse is a Standardbred rather than a Thoroughbred, and was actually...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/black-copper-marans-roo-or-hen.981040/
If it makes you feel any better, this is a very old thread of mine featuring a 7-week-old BCM who ended up a pullet. By comparison, she was nearly identical.
#2 is a definite male. I'm also thinking #1 is also, given comb size and what appears to be the beginning of darker plumage in the shoulder. The rest aren't screaming cockerel for the present.
I absolutely will, as your input is always a treat. It's interesting how different all of my melanistics look....there's quite a variety. Hoping to get pictures of my younger, chocolate-colored group soon.
Just as a side note - I actually find these guys to have superb color.....this picture...
#1 is definitely a cockerel, as you said. That being said, #2 and #3 still sport a sizeable amount of comb development given age. Can't rule out difference in mature rate just yet. I'd personally post again in another month or two.