Black copper marans gender help

[Fanfoui]

Hi all

So I got these BCMs from someone who hatched them but couldn’t keep’em. Eggs were traced back to someone way across the country. Anyways I got 6 of them and they are 3 weeks old now. I know it’s still early for telling pullets and cockerels apart but I will be putting up pictures weekly to see how they evolve. 3 of them are black (#1-2-3) and 2 of them are grayish blue (#5-6) and 1 seems mixed black/gray(#4) The gray ones have way more feathers on their legs.

Now here is the difference between the black and the gray ones

 

[rachelsflock]

5 is definitely male. 2 is a probably and 1 is a maybe. I'd watch for waddles to start peeking out of their cheeks. That's the big tell, especially when they just start to blush pink. Number 5 may not have the nicest comb SOP wise either-looks funny. When I briefly raised these I could sex accurately at 4 weeks, but these lines may be different so I could be all wrong. Mine were kind of nasty, but most people love their marans so you'll probably have fun. The males were amazing meat birds flavor-wise.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I agree with @rachelsflock I was about to say the same on that.

 

[rachelsflock]

Oh and a non-SOP compliant comb is not a bad thing for backyard flocks. It just might make him look unique and more interesting.

 

[Fanfoui]

Right on thanks for the feedback. That weird combed #5 is actually way bigger than the others so I think he’s a good candidate for a nice casserole. I might give the other roos away and keep the pullets.

 

[oregonkat]

IMHO, 1 and 2 are male, 3, 4 and 6 female and 5 is a question mark.
I love my marans dearly. I have one hen who is a bit of a bully to younger pullets but she gets over it as they grow. My current roo is HUGE and a good protector. All my BCM roos have been great with people, curious and gentle when hand fed. Love them.

 

[Fanfoui]

Hi! So here are some updated pictures. They are now 4 weeks old. I am pretty sure I can figure out most of them but would love to have a second opinion. What do you think? I have posted tail pictures as well since they might help determinating the gender.

Thanks!

 

[aglandaetap]

#2, #5 appear to be cockerels. Rest so far, pullets. Post pics back in 4 weeks

 

[oregonkat]

Agreed, 2 and 5 cockerels.

 

[Chickem707]

Here’s mine at only 3 weeks!