Black Copper Maran Question

[ORCHKNlady]

I posted this already once but somehow it got edited and deleted. So this will be brief, I need help figuring out if this is pullet or cock. I am SO new to the chicken world, I love my chickens and want to know if there is a rooster in there. I sometimes hear what I think to be a premature crow. Some tell me that males have 2 wattles and the female 1. Then other sites I've looked at tell me different, to look at the feathers, and pointed or rounded. I am just not a pro, and am having a hard time. I believe this to be a pullet, however this is one of my largest chickens and she is almost 2 mo younger than the rest of my chickens. She has grown super fast and gotten her comb and wattle before even my oldest chickens which are cuckoo marans. PLEASE HELP. and feel free to be as specific as possible about how to check in future as well, if I get more. I want a rooster but I need to know if there is one in the bunch first. Sorry yes I am amateur, but I am a fast learner. I want to know specific characters to see and look for for this one as well as for others as well. Is there a major difference in wattles and combs across the breeds and gender?

I love this picture (above) I think he might take some jewelry out, maybe I am anticipating that. LOL but he never has, I think he just likes to get close and stare!!!!!

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I say roo

 

[GardenGal]

Looks like a roo to me as well. One good way to develop an eye for that is to check out the what breed/gender section. There are certain things to look for, early comb development/red comb for example. After a while you can tell 'cause they just look like roosters. Looks like a sweetie

 

[theoldchick]

Cockerel

In young birds look for comb and wattle development. This is Stan at 5 weeks. The other three are pullets.




Cockerel (Stan the Man)




Pullet (Askew)



Hope this helps!

 

[ORCHKNlady]

Thank you so much, everyone for your opinion. I did think it was a rooster but because so many people were telling me otherwise I didn't want to sound stupid. LOL AHHHH who could have thought this could be so frustrating. HAHA. His name is COPPER LOL, and he is a sweetie. THANK YOU, for the pics, those were very helpful. I searched forever for some that could be his age range but no pics were definant enough and then there are mixed reviews on which is which. Sometimes the internet can be a swell of useless information as well. YOU guys are amazing thank you. I just felt like I needed some outside professional advice

D

 

[theoldchick]

Photos are always a help, and I have LOTS of photos!

Certain breeds are difficult to sex even when they are mature. Today's poofy Silkies are an example. Unless the cockerel develops any type of wattles or comb, you have to wait until they crow before you know. (Ignore that little rhyme). The breeds with muffs and beards are also difficult as the usual identifying traits are bred out of them. However, once they get 12 - 16 weeks almost all cockerels (except Silkies, Frizzles, Sizzles, and the rumpless breeds) start developing the characteristic tail.

I'm pretty certain the young bird you are holding in your arms is a cockerel if he is indeed 8 weeks old.

 

[ORCHKNlady]

Im trying to do the math in my head when I got him, because I got the other hens right before easter, like the week before. Then when they were good size so I am thinking when they were about 1- 1 &1/2 mo old I got the other three, 2 sex links and this one. My daughter suckered me into it when we went to the feed store. I fell in love with him, so cuuuute. But over the next like 2 weeks he grew super fast, he already had the comb on top and the two red wattles starting to grow in, and NONE of the other pullets had a comb on top or the ones that did they were so small and yellow still. Now the Comb seems to have lightened a bit but, he is as big as the other hens and the two sex links are still significantly smaller, you can tell they are the youngest I mean. SO, this was my dilemma, I didn't really fancy owning birds before I got my chickens, they are so cool. They each have a personality and they are so pretty. My mom laughs cause she has about 30 and doesn't really hold them or anything, I can't avoid it. LOL

D

 

[ORCHKNlady]

It's weird cause in some pics I see with Black Copper Marans the girls have pretty large combs too, but I do notice their feathers do NOT have a blue-green tint. Is this a fair observation, when do the females usually develop combs?
D

 

[theoldchick]

Here are Stan and his sisters at 16 weeks. Note the pullet have not really started to develop wattles or comb.



Here is Stan at 22 weeks. Notice the tail, and how the saddle feathers have developed. The pullet behind him is 12 weeks older than him. The pullet in front of him is the same age.



Stan and his sister, Marie at 25 weeks. Note how Marie is started to get red wattles and comb, while Stan is developing more wattles and comb. See how the feathers around his neck (Hackle feathers) have developed different from Marie's neck feathers.



Although both sexes of this breed (Jersey Giant) have the sheen, you can see the difference in the tail development. This picture also reveals how a pullet can have larger comb and wattles. Crazy Comb Shirley is the face you see at the bottom of the photo. Her tail (which you can't see) was the true clue as to her gender at this age. I called her my manly pullet.


So, at times, there are chickens who confuse all of us!

 

[ORCHKNlady]

YOU ARE AMAZING, these pictures are very helpful and as are you LOL so Im still confused with the count of the wattles? It looks like the ladies have only one right? and the cock's have two? Is this right?
or no... I can't ever seem to get a pic face on, so you can see how it is... but anyways.LOL sides that I am pretty sure you are right this is my first cockerel, he is a doll, very sweet, little guy.