Bob....or Barbara?? Dark Brahma Question

[Jasmine1998]

Well, I assumed that this chick would end up being a boy since it was my free rare breed chick so it was named Bob...now I am not so sure. It is 3 weeks old today & no sign what so ever for wattles or even a comb.

I thought this pic was cool....one of each kind I have...Bob is all the way on the right.

 

[gritsar]

He looks alot like my dark brahma roo did as a chick. Thor at 2 weeks old:

ETA: Three weeks old is awful young to be expecting comb changes and wattle in a brahma.

 

[SQbrahmas]

Those feathers look to be penciled. Males dont usally have that silver penciling.

 

[LindseyM12]

Its a girl!

It looks just like mine!!!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I thought so too, but I remember Thor having the penciling as a youngin', before his adult feathers grew in. Plus, look at those wing bows! Bare (of feathers)! As are the wing bows on the chick behind "Bob" in pic #4

 

[Jasmine1998]

I think Gritstar is right....he will 9 weeks old on Sunday & now his adult feathers seem to be growing in & they are all black with a greenish tint, no penciled feathers.....oh well, he will be a pretty roo (not very bright, but pretty). This is him 2 weeks ago & you can see the dark feathers starting to come in. I will try to get a new pic today of him showing more black on him.

 

[pgpoultry]

Tricky.....

I keep Brahmas and the only type of Brahma that is easy to sex at a fairly early age from the feather pattern is the dark Brahma. It is probably a bit early, though. If a hen there will only be the pencilled feathers, whereas you will soon see black feathers and a white collar developing if a male. Males feathers fluoresce in UV light. The Brahma is very slow to develop a comb and wattles, months rather than weeks.

On balance I think this a boy due to the dark wing feathers, but I have been wrong before. If a boy he will grow into a lovely huge (12lbs or so) bird and will generally be of placid nature.

I currently have some 2 week old Brahmas and am guessing ( and changing my mind) every day as to what they are,

Sandie

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yeah, he's definitely a roo. Gonna be a handsome thing.

 

[LarryPQ]

Males feathers fluoresce in UV light.

OMG---FRIDAY NIGHT AT MY HOUSE!​