5 week old leghorns-pullets or cockerels?

[BigBlueHen53]

I have White Leghorns and my advice is wait. Because the hens have combs that would put most cockerels to shame. In my experience you can't sex White Leghorn chicks with any confidence by the size or redness of their combs. I've got it wrong before when the difference in comb was a lot more obvious than these. You may get the pullets right, but it's likely some of those you think are cockerels are in fact pullets. I ringed the one with the biggest redest comb (from a hatch of 12) at six weeks to keep for breeding. Turned out to be a pullet!

Thanks, will keep that in mind.

 

[cmom]

Not the greatest pics, but any help identifying gender would be greatly appreciated. They will be 5 weeks old by Friday 5/8View attachment 2124637View attachment 2124638View attachment 2124639

I have White Leghorns and my advice is wait. Because the hens have combs that would put most cockerels to shame. In my experience you can't sex White Leghorn chicks with any confidence by the size or redness of their combs. I've got it wrong before when the difference in comb was a lot more obvious than these. You may get the pullets right, but it's likely some of those you think are cockerels are in fact pullets. I ringed the one with the biggest redest comb (from a hatch of 12) at six weeks to keep for breeding. Turned out to be a pullet!

I agree. I raise Single Comb White Leghorns and Rose Comb Dark Brown Leghorns. They do mature quicker than my other breeds of birds. I have had some over the years that I wasn't sure and thought they might be males and turned out to be females. One little male was about three months old and was trying to crow. Good luck and have fun...

 

[CaterinaChickerina]

Thank you all! They are almost 6 weeks old now. We will wait and see! Here is a pic my 11 year old daughter took in the coop this morning. She spends hours handling them and trying to figure out what they are! She thinks this one is a cockerel because its comb is slightly redder (she insists) than the others, and its wattles are more visible! It keeps her busy while we are all cooped up (pun intended)!