FennecMom
Chirping
- Jan 23, 2021
- 31
- 102
- 99
Hello BYC - I'm a new chicken addict.
Today my "baby girls" turned 4 months old. Not sure they're all girls, actually! I have 1 each of the following Marans - Cuckoo , Blue Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, & Blue Copper. Attached are photos from about a week ago, when they were 16 weeks old.
All 4 are nearly the same size, with the Golden being slightly smaller & Blue Cuckoo being slightly bigger than the other two. Also, the Golden has small wattles & comb compared to the other 3.
I recently learned (on BYC!) about the "long, pointy feathers" on a cockerel's hackles and saddle. I don't think I see any pointy saddle feathers in my bunch. (Or maybe I am too new to really figure out saddle feathers?!)
As for hackles, I've been joking about my Blue Copper's "silky 80s mullet" that I pet when I hold her. So, interesting to learn these long feathers are probably pointy hackle feathers. (And - side note - I swear sometimes "she" purrs when I stroke her stylish mullet & give her neck rubs. S/he is a snuggle bunny.)
So this one could be a roo, correct?
As for the Cuckoo & Blue Cuckoo - they also have larger comb & wattles. But, no pointy hackles or saddles that I can see. And - seems like a roo wouldn't do this? - lately I call the Blue Cuckoo "insta-submit" because she lowers down into squatty submission pose each time I reach my hand toward her.
My money is on the Golden being a girl. But, to keep things interesting for me the newbie, this little girl actually has a few shorter, pointier feathers on her hackles. (Whaaaat?!)
Your thoughts on gender, hackles, saddles, etc for Marans at this age?
Today my "baby girls" turned 4 months old. Not sure they're all girls, actually! I have 1 each of the following Marans - Cuckoo , Blue Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, & Blue Copper. Attached are photos from about a week ago, when they were 16 weeks old.
All 4 are nearly the same size, with the Golden being slightly smaller & Blue Cuckoo being slightly bigger than the other two. Also, the Golden has small wattles & comb compared to the other 3.
I recently learned (on BYC!) about the "long, pointy feathers" on a cockerel's hackles and saddle. I don't think I see any pointy saddle feathers in my bunch. (Or maybe I am too new to really figure out saddle feathers?!)
As for hackles, I've been joking about my Blue Copper's "silky 80s mullet" that I pet when I hold her. So, interesting to learn these long feathers are probably pointy hackle feathers. (And - side note - I swear sometimes "she" purrs when I stroke her stylish mullet & give her neck rubs. S/he is a snuggle bunny.)
So this one could be a roo, correct?
As for the Cuckoo & Blue Cuckoo - they also have larger comb & wattles. But, no pointy hackles or saddles that I can see. And - seems like a roo wouldn't do this? - lately I call the Blue Cuckoo "insta-submit" because she lowers down into squatty submission pose each time I reach my hand toward her.
My money is on the Golden being a girl. But, to keep things interesting for me the newbie, this little girl actually has a few shorter, pointier feathers on her hackles. (Whaaaat?!)
Your thoughts on gender, hackles, saddles, etc for Marans at this age?
