9-10 week old cockerel pale comb

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

I have a 9-10 week old Sapphire Gem cockerel and his comb seems pale compared to the rest of the cockerels that have nice deep red combs.
All the other chickens seem to hate him too Pullets and cockerels.
He looks more barred Rock then the other 2 sapphires and everyone picks on him.
He’s always the loner.
He eats and drinks but them picking on him makes me sad and also I noticed his comb not as red as the others.

Is this due to stress?? It’s harder to tell in the photos just how different the shades are but in person it’s very noticeable.

1st photo is him:



2nd photo is the other 2 sapphires:

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Probably just slower to mature.

It's not uncommon for one to be picked at.
What's your plans for the cockerels? Going to try keeping all, butcher, re-home?
As they mature, you may have more drama, so be prepared to separate them if need be.

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

Probably just slower to mature.

It's not uncommon for one to be picked at.
What's your plans for the cockerels? Going to try keeping all, butcher, re-home?
As they mature, you may have more drama, so be prepared to separate them if need be.

My husband really wants to keep them and just separate them. I figured due to the pecking order someone has to be at the bottom but it makes me sad
I feel he’s the most unique of the males besides our massive RIR

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My husband really wants to keep them and just separate them. I figured due to the pecking order someone has to be at the bottom but it makes me sad
I feel he’s the most unique of the males besides our massive RIR

There's always going to be one at the bottom, just the way it works.

Separation is good at times. Roosters can do well in their own housing or sometimes if there's enough space, they can be just fine with a couple of hens with them too. Some roosters are rougher than others, so you would have to just monitor it.