8 straight runs... now 8-9 weeks old... 7 likely roosters?!?

[MixedFlock23]

Everyone was right on the Polish! He crowed this morning!!

I looked for wattles on the bearded silkies and the black one has wattles (purple tinted even). The white Silkie just has purple skin where wattles will be. The little blue one has none, but he is behind in growth after having cocci the worst weeks ago. All have larger combs than the showgirl who is a week older. She has zero signs of wattles, and lots of votes for pullet on here, so I moved her in with the pullets (hatchery sexed at hatch). Thanks again!

It seems that I received one male (cochin) and one female (Brahma) from the hatchery, and I picked out 5 of 6 roosters from the breeder! (Three silkies, Polish, Ayam Cemani) I was actually trying to get an Ayam Cemani rooster because they are so striking to me (& lay hens lay poorly anyway, and I needed a rooster to protect my flock).
But 3:3 silkies! I guess I better let someone else pick my Silkie chicks in the future!

 

[MixedFlock23]

Look what I just found:

I think my Cochin is a pullet!! I plan on updating with more photos next week (at 12 weeks), but Cochin’s comb and wattles haven’t grown much and still no crowing or chest bumping or anything roo like!
(The three silkies all chest bump though.)
So I think both hatchery chicks are pullets! And showgirl still has zero wattles and her comb hasn’t changed since 6 weeks old really.

 

[MixedFlock23]

Here’s two screenshots from that video next to my collage of my Cochin. All 8 weeks old in the pics.

 

[Painted Calls]

Here’s two screenshots from that video next to my collage of my Cochin. All 8 weeks old in the pics.

Post photos of yours. The stills from the vid are showing birds that are more than 8 weeks old.

 

[Painted Calls]

16 week old pullet.

 

[MixedFlock23]

Here are my updated photos! Most of the birds are 12 weeks old now. (The new one is 7 weeks, 2 are 11.5 weeks, and three are 13 weeks.) The Ayam Cemani, Polish, & black Silkie are all crowing.

What are your thoughts on the sexed pullet Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, the Mottled Cochin, the white frizzle Silkie, the Showgirl, and the blue Silkie? Their combs/wattles, though some pinked up early, haven’t changed much at all in the last month. Only the blue Silkie acts like a roo and often challenges the Black Silkie cockerel (chest bump, face offs, jumping on top). “His” comb has grown. Showgirl’s comb hasn’t grown, nor have any signs of wattles appeared. White frizzle silkie’s comb is still flat/no change in wattles.

Thanks!

 

[The Happster]

The Wyandotte is female.
I would love to say female for the Cochin, but I really can't seeing the redness in the comb and wattles.
The showgirls and silkies will have to wait to be completely sure. I still believe most are male.

 

[MixedFlock23]

Ahh, more waiting! I’m glad to hear a vote for BLRW pullet, since that’s what we ordered.

I’ve searched online a bit more and that Cochin has me stumped. Along with that YouTube video I posted earlier (I added a screenshot that says 8 weeks), I found a few others that say their Cochins are about the same age as mine (either ~8 or ~12 weeks)... and mine really looks like a pullet in many... and a cockerel in many others!

Here’s the screenshots from my “research.” Ha ha
My fingers are crossed for a bantam mottled Cochin pullet, of course!

I think the two other silkies are boys too, and I think the showgirl is a pullet based on no streamers, crowing, chest bumps, or wattles. Out of the 6 “ornamental” straight runs chicks I bought from the breeder, 3 are crowing, 2 more are chest bumping, and I *think* the Showgirl is the only pullet. From the 2 straight run bantams from the hatchery, I *hope* both are pullets based on the huge wattle cockerel pics I’ve found online and the early red smaller combs/wattles I’ve seen online in pullets of Cochins.

Either way, things are looking better than 7 of 8 being cockerels for sure. Perhaps the bantam Brahma, the Showgirl, and the bantam mottled Cochin are pullets. 5 of 8 being boys seems like better odds! I guess I’ll know for sure in another 2 to 7 months!

 

[Painted Calls]

None of my pullets have had that kind of color even at 18 weeks.

The hatchery (shut up Happy - here is the point I'm making) bantam cochins seem to develop differently sometimes though. I would expect to see a larger comb and wattles for a cockerel that age. HOWEVER... no pullet should have that much color at even 12 weeks. Let alone 8.

Keep us updated. This is very intriguing.

 

[TimberLine Homestead]

I usually check there wings. We bought 4 buff orpington straight run chicks. They are about 5 - 6 weeks old. We have 1 roo and 3 hens so far.

Hope this helps you


https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/chick-sexing-techniques/