- Thread starter
- #11
Hannah Hobby Farmer
In the Brooder
- Aug 25, 2018
- 7
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This is very helpful, I would never have known this and I’m going to start paying more attention to these details so that I know what I’m looking at this time and for next time I purchase chickens. Thanks againCockerels combs may be taller larger upright and more pronounced. Their combs are also usually more red than hens. In certain breeds the cockerel may also have shorter primary wing feathers, and they’re feet are sometimes bigger than hens the same age/breed.
The best, most fail-safe method (besides crowing of course) is to look at the hackles (around the neck) and saddle feathers in front of the tail when the bird is about 3 months old. By that age, cockerels will have long and pointy saddle feathers, while a hen's will be more rounded. Hens saddle and hackles feathers can look a little pointy, too. However they're not as thin or as long as rooster feathers. The shapes of these hackle and saddle feathers will indicate for sure whether you have a cockerel or a pullet... in every breed but Silkies and Sebrights. I hope that helps!
