Ameraucanas - use comb or tail to tell gender?

[speckledhen]

Both sexes have 3 rows of "peas". The difference is that cockerels get their full width much sooner than the pullets. So, it's more a matter of timing and development rate than pullets only having a center ridge (which they usually do till after 12-14 weeks old or so.)

By 13-14 weeks, males already are showing stringy, shiny saddle feathers, so that would be how you'd tell at that age.

 

[Tailfeathers]

Hi, I don't have much time as I'm trying to rush thru the last few pages of my unread posts, it's almost 2330 and I've still got to fix some supper. So I'll just say that after taking a VERY quick glance at those pictures, it looks like many of them are EEs. With EEs, there's no telling what you're gonna wind up with for a comb.

With Ameraucanas, by 13-14 weeks, the cockerels with have a much more developed and sizable comb that the females. Moreoever, depending on the variety (I suppose), the color should be a dead give away. I raise, breed, and show the WBS Ameraucanas. By 14 weeks, I know very well who the cockerels will be.

God Bless,

 

[speckledhen]

Then, on some EEs, there is the classic "gob of chewing gum" comb in those who are not pure for pea comb. Even one of my purebred Ameraucanas has a comb that isn't a good pea.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Ok, I am going to assume the grey/blue with the nice triple ridge comb is a roo and I'll keep an eye on the comb and saddle feathers and be patient. None of them are crowing either, so that is no help.