bantam cochins - i think i got messed with :( (pics, need help!)

[technodoll]

Wow thanks everyone

I'm still guarded on Mango because of comb & wattles, also darker feathering around the neck... but maybe "she" is just from a different line and maturing faster?

I don't know anything about bantam cochins so your expert opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

[jossanne]

I think Mango is a girl. I have a 7wk old cochin cockerel with way more comb than that.

 

[technodoll]

I got a reply from the breeder, he said "I was certain that they were two females. It is harder to tell when thay are younger like that. The rooster that is the same age as them has a very developed comb and wattles. Because of the extreme difference in the development I was convinced they were both hens."

I'm really hoping Mango is a girl and not a slow-developing boy!!

By the way I changed Kiwi's name to Peach... so Mango and Peach

 

[Chickenaddict]

Mango IS a cockerel. I hate to say it but with the cochins at least for me, the boys take alot longer then the girls to mature.8wks old I would say the age is. Mango looks alot like some standard partridge cochins I bought a few years back (as sexed pullets) Guess what..... THEY WERE ROOS! There is no way at 8 weeks old a pullet would have ANY red on her comb and waddles. They ahev really nice feathering tho and of unrelated you have yourself a pair. I have a partridge boy here right now and he is just gorgeous.
This is what the cockerel should turn out to look like. You will notice the partridge lacing disappear and his solid colors will start coming in like it already is around his neck.

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
Awe crap

Are bantam cochin roos usually tame or do they get aggressive either with humans or other males?

 

[Chickenaddict]

I have 5 roos on the property right now, 2 are cochin boys and they all free range together. I have only had 1 cochin who was just evil and had to be rehomed. The 2 boys I have right now are super sweet and mellow. Nubs the boy in the pic isn't a threat to the others as he is quite a bit smaller then the other boys so I think they take pitty on him and leave him alone. I guess it all depends on how your other boys react to this one. Chances are if you put them in with the flock at a young age like this things should work out just fine if you choose to keep him.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
This is correct. Your birds are still in their juvenile plumage so they look similar. However, note that the bird in question is starting to show some solid black in HIS wings & tail. That black would not be present in a female. You have a pair.

 

[jossanne]

Quote:
I have had less than 8wk bantam cochin pullets with red in their comb, more than once. I will get a pic of my 7wk bantam cochin cockerel and pullet for you to compare.

Edited to add these pics:

7 week old cockerel

7 week old pullet

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
I have had less than 8wk bantam cochin pullets with red in their comb, more than once. I will get a pic of my 7wk bantam cochin cockerel and pullet for you to compare.

Edited to add these pics:

7 week old cockerel
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/13038_cimg0458.jpg

7 week old pullet
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/13038_cimg0462.jpg

You can Breed cochins for larger or bigger combs at this age believe it or not, learned that today when i was talking to my cochin breeder friend. When your showing you always weed out the larger combs, but hatchery cochins or someone who just has them as pets tend to breed cochins with larger combs. Really i think this needs to be waited out

 

[KinderKorner]

It appears to be a pair. I thought the color difference was more pronounced in that color, so I thought girls at first but as I look closer Mango seems to be getting the black in his tail, hackles, wings. Pretty birds anyway.

Also. They very well could be 3 months. I have some cochins that are 4-5 months old and don't even have as many feathers as yours. I have found mine to grow really really slow. They stay tiny, and some take forever to feather. Poor dears. But after a while they will sprout into some beautiful.