6 Weeks and 8 Weeks- Thoughts?

[ChickenChick46]

I've got a 6 week old EE and an 8 week old silkie. The EE, I really feel is a cockerel, but then at times, the comb seems lighter. In the pictures of it, it's at the feeder with an obvious male of the exact same age, a Self Blue d'Uccle. But, different comb types, so maybe not useful.

The EE has had the red all over for weeks. I know red leakage on shoulders is male specific. But I thought I read that that isn't always the case with EEs, and it's also all over, not just the shoulders. So I'm not sure that is a clue here.

Pippin the silkie, I have no idea. It might still be too soon for that one since I know silkies are harder.

Soon I'm going to need to be making plans for reducing cockerels, so I'm trying to get a good handle on how many I have. I appreciate any insights.

 

[JedJackson]

I think the red shoulders combined with the raised red comb at 6 weeks is enough evidence to say the Easter egger is a cockerel.

The Silkie I am less sure about. It does have some comb development, but not enough to say it is for sure a cockerel. Unfortunately, with Silkies you can't judge by redness of the comb, since they have black skin.

So maybe wait a bit longer for that one to show its true stripes. Or you could send a sample in to a lab, if you want an accurate gender reading quickly.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I think the red shoulders combined with the raised red comb at 6 weeks is enough evidence to say the Easter egger is a cockerel.

The Silkie I am less sure about. It does have some comb development, but not enough to say it is for sure a cockerel. Unfortunately, with Silkies you can't judge by redness of the comb, since they have black skin.

So maybe wait a bit longer for that one to show its true stripes. Or you could send a sample in to a lab, if you want an accurate gender reading quickly.

I think you're right with the Easter Egger. I've felt like that one is a cockerel for a while. It's the loudest bird in the coop, not that that means anything, just that its vocals are pretty funny.

Thank you so much for your input. I appreciate you!

 

[JedJackson]

I think you're right with the Easter Egger. I've felt like that one is a cockerel for a while. It's the loudest bird in the coop, not that that means anything, just that its vocals are pretty funny.

Thank you so much for your input. I appreciate you!

You're welcome. I appreciate you, too. I hope you end up with lots of pullets.

 

[ChickenChick46]

You're welcome. I appreciate you, too. I hope you end up with lots of pullets.

Thanks, I hope so too. I'm allowed males here, but I'm just not willing to tolerate drama in the flock. I'm looking forward to eggs, sure, but I wanted chickens mainly because I truly enjoy taking care of them and spending time around them. Of in always breaking up fights (with either sex), I imagine that enjoyment would dissipate rapidly.