Any EE cockerels? I hope so!!

groaners

In the Brooder
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My flock of EE's are about 8 weeks old now and there are two that seem "roo-ish"...I'm definitely hoping for one!!
First is the only yellow legged bird who is MUCH bigger than the rest. Its tail is droopy and the comb is slightly larger, pinkish, and is clearly a pea comb while the others combs are less developed and look only like one raised line. Its coloring does not scream rooster though?... it is definitely the highest ranking of the bunch.
That bird is in the front in this picture:
pink1.jpg

The EE in the back is another possible cockerel. Its comb is pinker than the yellow leg bird but is a single row, doesnt look like a rose comb at least not yet (who knows? darn tricky EE's!) This one has darker bolder coloring and also acts in charge as well and these two birds have had some small squabbles already... it does not have much of a tail but the feathers seem to be slightly curved.
neither have really pointed feathers but the yellow leg chicken seems to have pointier hackle feathers than the others...
here is the one with yellow legs
yellerleg.jpg

And both possible roo's???? are in the front here:
cockornot.jpg

I would love to hear some guesses! I love these birds...they have really great personalities and hopefully will be good layers if they're not roosters...but I am hoping for a rooster
smile.png
 
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It's a little early for EE's, they can be tricky to sex. But I'd say the one in the back in the first pic looks like a rooster (it has a straight comb as opposed to a pea comb) and maybe the gray one in the back in the last picture. The one in the front in the last picture may be as well. (comb looks pink and legs look thick) A couple more weeks and it should be more obvious.
 
Sometimes EE roosters will start getting really rich bright colors, even before the saddle feathers start in. The girls generally stay a bit more muted.
 
They are 12 weeks old now I believe...maybe 11...
"Tumbleweed"
tails.jpg


"Ever Clear"
silver.jpg

Sorry for the terrible picture on this one. It has slightly iridescent tail feathers.

"Saquaro"
dark.jpg


Sorry no pic's of the combs. They all look about the same so they might all be pullets, even though I want a cockerel too!!
lol.png

What age to saddle feathers start coming in? Some of my pullets already started clucking.
 
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They all look like hens to me, you are probably safe to start looking for a rooster about the same age if you want one!
 
o.k. Now I'm all confused. What does having a straight or rose comb have to do with being either a pullet or a stag?That has to do with the breed nor the sex. The best way to tell is start watching the feathers over the lower back. Males have pointed feathers and females have rounded. Carolyn
 
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I have been told that at 8-13 weeks (or so...) EE cockerels are much more likely to have three rows of the (pea) comb more prominent, while the pullets will have the middle row prominent while the other rows are undeveloped at the point. That is my understanding only from what I've been told...I'm not an expert.
 
All look like girls to me. I have about 25 to 30 Easter Egger pullets, and 2 about 6 months old and 8 or 9 1 month olds, all various colors. If you lived close I'd just give you one to go with them girls.
 

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