Black Copper Marans 1 red comb and 1 yellow comb

[ChicagoClucker]

I have four 3 wk old black copper marans chicks I'm currently playing the gender guessing game with...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/951562/predicting-genders-in-black-copper-marans-x-ee-chicks

I was wondering if you have any updated info/pics? Did they both turn out to be cockerels after all?

I think I have a hen and a rooster, still waiting to make sure. The smaller one who had her comb and wattles first has not developed any coloring on her back or wing feathers. But I did notice that her feathers around the base of her neck and across her shoulders are round! That brought back the idea that she is a hen. So I am still waiting to make sure. And her comb hasn't grown much. Her brothers' comb and body size has surpassed her. Here are some pics although not the best with my phone. Someone on my Illinois thread told me that she had one she thought was a rooster because of size and development so gave to a friend. Turned out to be a hen and was a better layer than the one she kept. So I am waiting. I have thought hen from the get go, but I am not very experienced with this so I don't trust myself. Hope this helps and sorry if it doesn't.

Here is a pic of HER? back

Here She is again

This is MY ROOSTER her brother

Rooster again

Here she is again.

 

[One Chick Two]

I think I have a hen and a rooster, still waiting to make sure. The smaller one who had her comb and wattles first has not developed any coloring on her back or wing feathers. But I did notice that her feathers around the base of her neck and across her shoulders are round! That brought back the idea that she is a hen. So I am still waiting to make sure. And her comb hasn't grown much. Her brothers' comb and body size has surpassed her. Here are some pics although not the best with my phone. Someone on my Illinois thread told me that she had one she thought was a rooster because of size and development so gave to a friend. Turned out to be a hen and was a better layer than the one she kept. So I am waiting. I have thought hen from the get go, but I am not very experienced with this so I don't trust myself. Hope this helps and sorry if it doesn't.

Here is a pic of HER? back

Here She is again

This is MY ROOSTER her brother

Rooster again

Here she is again.

Can you get a photo of the suspected pullet from the side at eye level, so we can see the body shape better?

Take a good look in the saddle feather area. See if you see any stray color, or spiky, colored feathers starting up there.

However... there is one other thing about this bird that you should carefully check out... in the bottom photo there appears to be a raised lump before the blade. It should be smooth, no lumps. If there is a lump, this is carnation comb. That is caused by the parent both being positive for the opposite, abnormal comb gene. A bird who visually expresses comb lumps should not bred, as a bird who expresses them is already positive for two comb genes to pass them on to ALL their young.

I would use my thumb and forefinger and run down both sides, feeling for soft, small lumps. Hopefully this is just a trick of the light... If you don't plan on breeding and selling birds, or showing, then, this would not make any difference to a home flock.

 

[One Chick Two]

This is MY ROOSTER her brother

So sorry, but I also see (for sure) the abnormal comb in the back of the rooster's comb as well.

Here is a very good article on abnormal combs in BCM.

http://www.maranschickenclubusa.com/files/Abnormal_Combs_Article.pdf

 

[ChicagoClucker]

So sorry, but I also see (for sure) the abnormal comb in the back of the rooster's comb as well.

Here is a very good article on abnormal combs in BCM.

http://www.maranschickenclubusa.com/files/Abnormal_Combs_Article.pdf

Yes he does have a sprig! I was very upset when someone pointed it out. I wanted a maran roo to cross with my cream legbars so I could have some olive eggers. So, I ordered some blue copper maran eggs from a different place and they went in the incubator yesterday. I think he will be going into my freezer as soon as he is big enough. I just have to be brave enough, cause he is such a sweet heart and I usually just find homes for my roosters. I have never had one killed and cleaned.

 

[Dangaloo]

I think I have a hen and a rooster, still waiting to make sure. The smaller one who had her comb and wattles first has not developed any coloring on her back or wing feathers. But I did notice that her feathers around the base of her neck and across her shoulders are round! That brought back the idea that she is a hen. So I am still waiting to make sure. And her comb hasn't grown much. Her brothers' comb and body size has surpassed her. Here are some pics although not the best with my phone. Someone on my Illinois thread told me that she had one she thought was a rooster because of size and development so gave to a friend. Turned out to be a hen and was a better layer than the one she kept. So I am waiting. I have thought hen from the get go, but I am not very experienced with this so I don't trust myself. Hope this helps and sorry if it doesn't.

I see what you mean, the coloring does suggest a pullet and a cockerel. If this turns out to be the case then it gives me hope that one of my 3 suspected cockerels may turn out to be an early developing pullet I look forward to hearing if the mystery bird starts laying or crowing soon!

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I see what you mean, the coloring does suggest a pullet and a cockerel. If this turns out to be the case then it gives me hope that one of my 3 suspected cockerels may turn out to be an early developing pullet I look forward to hearing if the mystery bird starts laying or crowing soon!

I will let you know.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

So sorry, but I also see (for sure) the abnormal comb in the back of the rooster's comb as well.

Here is a very good article on abnormal combs in BCM.

http://www.maranschickenclubusa.com/files/Abnormal_Combs_Article.pdf

I am not going to breed her, but I am keeping her for eggs. Her brother has a sprig, so I don't trust their line. It really bothers me, that I ordered them from a small poultry farm and this is what I get. I did email them and attached pictures. But haven't heard a word back. I have seen others mention this farm on this website and on other Facebook pages, I don't say anything, but I sure hope that the farm is doing something about it.

 

[donrae]

I think I have a hen and a rooster, still waiting to make sure. The smaller one who had her comb and wattles first has not developed any coloring on her back or wing feathers. But I did notice that her feathers around the base of her neck and across her shoulders are round! That brought back the idea that she is a hen. So I am still waiting to make sure. And her comb hasn't grown much. Her brothers' comb and body size has surpassed her. Here are some pics although not the best with my phone. Someone on my Illinois thread told me that she had one she thought was a rooster because of size and development so gave to a friend. Turned out to be a hen and was a better layer than the one she kept. So I am waiting. I have thought hen from the get go, but I am not very experienced with this so I don't trust myself. Hope this helps and sorry if it doesn't.

Here is a pic of HER? back

How old are the birds in question? If they're roughly the same age in the pics, they're both males. If that first bird is less than 6 months, it's a rooster. A profile pic including comb and legs would help determine gender, as would age.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

How old are the birds in question? If they're roughly the same age in the pics, they're both males. If that first bird is less than 6 months, it's a rooster. A profile pic including comb and legs would help determine gender, as would age.

They are both the same age, about 11 weeks. But how do you know that the one is a rooster? I am going crazy over here, one day I look and say hen, then the next say roo. The rooster in the photo is so much larger and has all that coloring, while the other has no coloring and is smaller. I look at her side view and she looks like she is rounding out, other days, she has the long lean look, I think roo. So I have been waiting. I will get a side view pic and post.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Well the wondering is over! Went to take a pic of her and noticed a small rusty red spot on HIS WING! HE IS A ROO!