Austrolorp...Hen or Roo? Can I tell at 4 weeks old?

[bwood002]

It's probably too early to tell. I purchased four baby chicks that are now 4 weeks old (two EE, one speckled sussex and one black australorp). The black australorp is growing fast and is the largest one. "She" is also the most assertive, always at the front of the brooder box when we go out to check on them. I'm thinking she might be a "he". This is my first australorp, so maybe they just grow faster?

Probably too soon to tell but wanted some expert feedback! Does anyone know if there is a way to tell before all the final feathers are in?

 

[Logar]

I am guessing cockerel. that is a very big comb for 4 weeks

 

[HonkABC]

It does look quite cockerel-y.

 

[Squawkers]

Agreed, I’m pretty sure you have a cockerel

 

[Sparrows]

The comb is big and pretty pink for only 4 weeks... I am leaning cockerel

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Agreed, it looks like a cockerel

 

[Ecarroll]

I’m thinking cockerel, usually I would say it’s too early but that comb is big and red for a four week old.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Probably too soon to tell but wanted some expert feedback! Does anyone know if there is a way to tell before all the final feathers are in?

Some chicks are pretty easy to sex at a very young age. Others can be hard. Over the years I've been able to tell just a couple of days after hatch for a very small number of chicks. Usually I can tell at five weeks but I had one I thought was a girl until he was 15 weeks old.

Boys tend to grow combs and wattles faster than girls and those are often red while the girls have more yellow. Like most things not always definitive but a real strong clue when a young one has wattles.

Boys tend to have thicker and longer legs. Some breeds are naturally different so you can't always go by this but it is one that I use a lot.

Boys tend to have an upright posture while the girls are usually more bent over. Sometimes the boys can have a different body confirmation than the girls. You get better at this with practice.

Boys tend to be bold and curious while the girls hang back. When people are picking out which chicks they want they often want the ones that come out to greet you as they have personality. Those are usually boys.

After their juvenile molt the boys' saddle and hackle feathers are pointed while the girls' are rounded. That's probably around 12 to 14 weeks of age, not young chicks.

The black one is growing faster and comes out to meet you. He has an upright posture and I can see wattles. The comb and wattles are not red but they are prominent. The legs are not that thick but I think that neck and head are more of a masculine conformation.

I think you have a boy.

 

[bwood002]

Some chicks are pretty easy to sex at a very young age. Others can be hard. Over the years I've been able to tell just a couple of days after hatch for a very small number of chicks. Usually I can tell at five weeks but I had one I thought was a girl until he was 15 weeks old.

Boys tend to grow combs and wattles faster than girls and those are often red while the girls have more yellow. Like most things not always definitive but a real strong clue when a young one has wattles.

Boys tend to have thicker and longer legs. Some breeds are naturally different so you can't always go by this but it is one that I use a lot.

Boys tend to have an upright posture while the girls are usually more bent over. Sometimes the boys can have a different body confirmation than the girls. You get better at this with practice.

Boys tend to be bold and curious while the girls hang back. When people are picking out which chicks they want they often want the ones that come out to greet you as they have personality. Those are usually boys.

After their juvenile molt the boys' saddle and hackle feathers are pointed while the girls' are rounded. That's probably around 12 to 14 weeks of age, not young chicks.

The black one is growing faster and comes out to meet you. He has an upright posture and I can see wattles. The comb and wattles are not red but they are prominent. The legs are not that thick but I think that neck and head are more of a masculine conformation.

I think you have a boy.

I suspected a boy based on his curiosity and always at the front of the brooder box when the others 'hang back', as you said. Thanks for all of the info!
I didnt select him but had asked for all females. But from what I've been reading, this breed can be a little harder to tell with the chicks.
He definitely has waddles too! So, not sure what we will do but will likely wait til spring to decide. We are in a rural area but a neighborhood, so not sure we can keep him.