Bantam identification?

[renk777]

Aw, bummer! Can you not keep roosters where you live?

Oh that's interesting! She sure is a strange case. Can't wait to see what she'll look like once she molts for the first time.

A lot of people have been having similar luck with cockerels this year. Maybe in the future you could find a nearby breeder and buy started pullets. Just make sure they're a good and honest breeder! Someone here posted yesterday I think.. they bought guaranteed mottled pullets and all three were cockerels.

As for Harper...yeah.. silver is barely there but perhaps it'll be more evident after a molt. Our coop is hooked up to the timer that runs our mood lighting in the yard so there is always lighting late into the evening. Good for deterring predators....not so great for molting. Our birds rarely molt and when they do.... it's not the whole bird. But bantams will be in tractor initially until our shed is installed and then we plan to build run off shed. They won't get light as the LF do so in theory, I should see typical molting. Hoping to split chicken lights from mood lights this winter so that birds get rest. Getting set up to water glass eggs starting next month so that any winter eggs are a bonus!

 

[JadeFarms]

I just read all of this. It’s cool to see these chicks grow up!! I can’t wait to see them at 6 weeks. That’s when you know gender and will probably know their breed for sure.

 

[renk777]

I just read all of this. It’s cool to see these chicks grow up!! I can’t wait to see them at 6 weeks. That’s when you know gender and will probably know their breed for sure.

I know the little red is an RIR but the cochins have been an interesting journey as far as color! Thought we had it all figured out until Harper sprouted silver tips this week. But I have heard others say that 6 weeks is the magical milestone with bantams so we'll see how they look on Tuesday!

As for the pullet/roo game, have been fairly certain of all but Marley. Was looking for any shred of hope that Haze might be a pullet but comb and wattles and feathering all pointed to roo :/ As for Marley, he feathered out like a pullet...head is narrow like a pullet..but I never quite accepted he was a pullet because of that comb. Still, i was thinking positive and stuck with the pullet idea until I saw him crow. I have no doubts now that I have an RIR pullet, a birchen Cochin pullet and a barred Cochin pullet. And I'm very happy with those. Wish I was in a position to keep one or 2 roos. I prefer Griffin but I feel he's too white and his comb is crooked. Haze has more contrasty feathers and a straighter (though smaller) comb. So I'd keep one of those since they're silver penciled and the birchen roo as his silver is pretty evident and he's mellow in nature. But since I most likely can't, I've posted them in groups as available. But I'll keep documenting their growth while I have them for others that might find they're raising similar and want to know what to expect!

So the mystery chick is still Marley...we know he's a he but we still don't know what kind of cochin! Maybe by Tuesday, he'll sprout more white!

 

[renk777]

@Overo Mare , please tell me I'm wrong. Another roo, huh? Attaching close-up of tail feathers. Wattles are dropping and pink. Comb is more pronounced. Shoot me.

 

[Painted Calls]

@Overo Mare , please tell me I'm wrong. Another roo, huh? Attaching close-up of tail feathers. Wattles are dropping and pink. Comb is more pronounced. Shoot me.

Those wattles are pretty large.... How old are your babies now? 6 weeks?

 

[renk777]

Those wattles are pretty large.... How old are your babies now? 6 weeks?

6 weeks tomorrow. And those tail feathers...def seem more pointed and curved than I'd like :/

 

[Painted Calls]

I would say that it's likely a cockerel. Watch for more color to show up.

 

[renk777]

I would say that it's likely a cockerel. Watch for more color to show up.

So my wing feather theory isn't the most reliable but I'm starting to realize that feel of chick is a good indicator. I always found her to be really solid and muscular like the certain roos. Bummer.

 

[Painted Calls]

So my wing feather theory isn't the most reliable but I'm starting to realize that feel of chick is a good indicator. I always found her to be really solid and muscular like the certain roos. Bummer.

 

[JadeFarms]

I agree, it looks a like a boy.