4 week old black copper marans

[Offshoreorca]

Definitely a cockerel, but I love my BCM cockerel I kept! Pullets wouldn't be showing that much growth or colouration in the comb or wattles at this age.

 

[mozzar_ELLA]

Definitely a cockerel, but I love my BCM cockerel I kept! Pullets wouldn't be showing that much growth or colouration in the comb or wattles at this age.

I’d love to keep him but if he’s loud I won’t be able to

 

[BloodRose]

I’ve noticed that French black copper marans kind hard to tell apart until they either lay an egg or crow. I’ve seen some very manly bcm pullets and some seemingly dainty bcm cockerels before so honestly I’ve got no clue and neither does the breeder(who’s been breeding bcm chicks exclusively for several years). Also black copper marans, especially if they are pure, grow pretty quickly(much much faster than any other large breeds I have). I have a cuckoo maran-legbar mix hen who had a huge comb at young age as well.

 

[mozzar_ELLA]

UPDATE::
My chicks are now 6 weeks old. Here’s how my bcm is looking. Comb is still a pale pink fleshy color but has gotten slightly bigger. S/he’s still about tied for size with my white moss egger chick but legs are thicker.

 

[FeatherTay]

UPDATE::
My chicks are now 6 weeks old. Here’s how my bcm is looking. Comb is still a pale pink fleshy color but has gotten slightly bigger. S/he’s still about tied for size with my white moss egger chick but legs are thicker.

Cockerel.

 

[sybonbon]

My Blue Marans pullet at 14 weeks. Just for reference.

 

[HappyClucker7]

UPDATE::
My chicks are now 6 weeks old. Here’s how my bcm is looking. Comb is still a pale pink fleshy color but has gotten slightly bigger. S/he’s still about tied for size with my white moss egger chick but legs are thicker.

Cockerel.

 

[Painted Calls]

Cockerel.

 

[mozzar_ELLA]

UPDATE::
My chick is now just over 8weeks old. At this point I’m pretty much waiting for a crow. Very sad such a beautiful bird. Thanks everyone.

 

[Mirindaj]

This is my first time with BCM and I only have one so nothing to compare exactly. S/he is very shy but the legs and comb/wattle got me leaning towards male. When s/he hatched the comb and wattle were about the same size as now but they were yellow now s/he’s sporting a very fleshy pink color. I tried to get a good picture but it looks redder than IRL. S/he also has grey on her/is wing tips but the rest of the feathers are black. I know it’s still early but the suspense is killing me will update as weeks go by.

I’m so happy you posted this! I am new as well to FBCM. I have 8 and they’ll all be 4 weeks old tomorrow. I have one that is definitely in question and I’m leaning toward cockerel. Here’s his/her picture next to one of the others.