4 week old cuckoo marans - help please with gender!

[newbiechickenmamma11]

Hi I have three cuckoo marans chicks, 4 weeks old. I'm wondering if it's possible to tell who's who now? I'm guessing #1 & #2 might be cockerels based on the lighter wing colouring, and #3 is a pullet? Also, #3 is growing so slowly compared to the others. Is it doing okay? Thank you

 

[Jener8or]

I think it's still too early to tell. They still look like they have double-barring to me, but I still wouldn't put any serious guesses on them yet. I would post an update in another 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[newbiechickenmamma11]

I think it's still too early to tell. They still look like they have double-barring to me, but I still wouldn't put any serious guesses on them yet. I would post an update in another 2 or 3 weeks.

Hello thanks! Can you please explain what you mean by double-barring? Who has it and what does that indicate?

 

[Jener8or]

Hello thanks! Can you please explain what you mean by double-barring? Who has it and what does that indicate?

It is just the darker look the females get compared to the males since they get only one copy of the barring gene.

Sorry, I may have gotten that switched around--females can only be single barred, and males can be double barred because barring is carried on the male chromosome.

Anyways, your chicks are really cute! The smaller one might just be slower growing or have a small case of failure to thrive, but as long as they are still feathering out and gaining weight, they should be fine.

 

[Jener8or]

This isn't my picture, but it is like you were guessing with their wings--the males will be lighter since they carry 2 copies of the barring gene and the females will be darker since they can only ever carry one.

Your chicks still look like the darker feather pattern to me. (Sorry I hope my mistake didn't make things too confusing.)

 

[newbiechickenmamma11]

Thank you for your explanation! Yes I understand now. I will keep an eye on them for another few weeks. If they all were female.. that would be great

 

[Carrot_Mama]

Thank you for your explanation! Yes I understand now. I will keep an eye on them for another few weeks. If they all were female.. that would be great

What was the verdict on the chicks?

 

[newbiechickenmamma11]

Hello! Number 1 + 2 ended up being male, their double barring became more pronounced as they got a bit older. 3 made it and is thriving and female