8 week old EE gender?

[BroosterSpringsteen]

Ok, I have another head scratcher. Solid white EEs are so hard to sex sometimes. It has some comb development, but far less than it's 2 brothers, who already have dark pink pea combs. This EE is 8 weeks. Opinions?

 

[Wyandottes7]

I'm not sure on the gender. The body shape, stance, and feathering make me think female, but the comb is a little pink to be sure. I'm going go with female for now.

On a side note, his/her beak is a little too long. You need to trim it so that it is not hooked on the end. Just get some human fingernail clippers and clip it until it is just a little longer than the bottom part of the beak.

 

[Pele]

Tough call. The posture strikes me as roo, but it isn't showing any other features that would make me positively say it's a roo.

 

[shmccarthy]

Hmmm looks pullety to me so far, maybe post again an a couple weeks if trees any comb development and look for the hackle and saddle feathers coming in. Usually I look for color to sex but this one is a bit tricky.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I am going with cockerel as well.

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

Thanks for the input. It is a puzzler. This is its brother, an obvious roo, for contrast. Same mother and father, hatched the same day. But his comb is much bigger and more pink. His stance is more roo-like, and he has a pointy upright tail.

Interesting about the beak. The hen who laid the egg has the same long beak. I didn't know I could trim it. Are there drawbacks or problems related to a hooked beak?

 

[Wyandottes7]

Thanks for the input. It is a puzzler. This is its brother, an obvious roo, for contrast. Same mother and father, hatched the same day. But his comb is much bigger and more pink. His stance is more roo-like, and he has a pointy upright tail.


Interesting about the beak. The hen who laid the egg has the same long beak. I didn't know I could trim it. Are there drawbacks or problems related to a hooked beak?

Yes, a hooked beak can intefer with drinking and eating. It is also prone to being cracked, which can harm the beak. And, a sharp, long beak can cause damage to other chickens more so than a trimmed beak.

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

Ah ok. I had no idea. I'll trim both of their beaks. Thanks for the info!

I'll post some updated pics of the white EE in a few more weeks. I'm really hoping for a pullet. It's such a pretty white bird.