Black Copper Marans gender???

[7&8]

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Hi all. I'm new to this breed, Black Copper Marans. I bought two fertile eggs from a local breeder for my bantam Leghorn to hatch; she's so small, she can only handle a couple LF eggs. The two in question are 10 weeks old. One has a comb & wattles, and the other has no sign of either. The one with the comb also has a bit of copper hackling.

I've read that this breed may or may not grow a comb, so I don't know if the absence of a comb is a true indicator of a pullet or not. Is it safe to believe that the young bird with the comb is a cockerel, and the one without a comb is a pullet?

Thanks in advance! And apologies for the poor photo quality...they are wicked difficult to photograph!

 

[grandwake]

I don't have enough experience with this breed or sexing to be sure, as I have never had a chick grow into a cockerel. But based on what I have seen here, my vote would be that you've got two pullets. I feel like if it was a cockerel, the comb and waddle would be a little more developed and there would be other signs as well. But, don't take my word for it. I could be completely wrong.

 

[chooks4life]

Hard to tell but looks male to me.

Best wishes.

 

[Dawns Funy Farm]

is there any color leakage coming in on the wings of the one with the larger comb? if so then a rooster for sure but with the pics i see nothing that is really screaming roo yet maybe in a few more weeks or better pics of that one

 

[BantamLover21]

I don't see any pointed hackle, sickle, or saddle feathers, and the comb isn't particularly red. They aren't showing the typical coloring of a BCM rooster, either. So, although the legs on the one with the larger comb are rather thick, I think (for now) that you have two pullets. One is just maturing faster than the other.

 

[Wyandottes7]

I think you have two pullets. I'm not seeing any definite rooster traits. Post some more photos in a few weeks, and I'll give another guess.

 

[7&8]

Hey all - thank you for the thoughtful replies!

I will definitely post new pics in a few weeks. I am agreeing with the general consensus, that I have two pullets. When they hatched, one was ginormous compared with the other, so maybe the comb / and wattles being more developed on the one is another example of a difference in genetics or whatever.

Not minding the thought of two pullets as I know where there's a nice cockerel for future breeding!

Thanks!