Chick combs

[CrashingPines]

Hi all, these three barnyard mix chicks for hatched on June 10, so coming in on 3 weeks old.

I realize it’s super early (and they may have all different breed mothers) but I’ve noticed one chick has a distinctly redder comb over the past few days.

Any thoughts on sex of these chicks at this time? Thank you!

 

[JedJackson]

The one on the left in the first picture is probably a cockerel. The others are wait and see.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

The one on the left in the first picture is probably a cockerel. The others are wait and see.

I kinda agree but it would be helpful to see photos of the feet/stance also. It's a little early to even start guessing and I've had pullet combs turn red early, but yep it's a roo sign, especially at this young of an age.

 

[CrashingPines]

I’ll try to get better photos tomorrow, but here’s a couple more of the gray chicks. I’m thinking that the one with the darker comb also has thicker legs.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I’ll try to get better photos tomorrow, but here’s a couple more of the gray chicks. I’m thinking that the one with the darker comb also has thicker legs.

View attachment 4166487View attachment 4166490

My semi-experienced guess would be top is a roo, bottom is a pullet, but a lot depends on breeds. My Black Aussies have thick legs - hey they're big birds - and even some of my pullets sprout red combs early.

It's so fun to do an edumacated guesstimation (I totally do the same ALL the time!) but until you hear a definitive crow (along with other roo markers) or get an egg, sometimes it's a crapshoot.

But yeah, that top photo is suspicious. Not a bad sign if you want a roo!

 

[CrashingPines]

My semi-experienced guess would be top is a roo, bottom is a pullet, but a lot depends on breeds. My Black Aussies have thick legs - hey they're big birds - and even some of my pullets sprout red combs early.

It's so fun to do an edumacated guesstimation (I totally do the same ALL the time!) but until you hear a definitive crow (along with other roo markers) or get an egg, sometimes it's a crapshoot.

But yeah, that top photo is suspicious. Not a bad sign if you want a roo!

Thank you! I know I need to be patient and wait and see

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Thank you! I know I need to be patient and wait and see

It's hard though! My thought is that I don't want to care for and feed this little thing for months and months, only to find out that I'll never get eggs. I'd rather rehome him now. But I try to rest in the knowledge that I'm giving him a good start and may have saved him from an early dispatch. And one day, I may decide to keep a roo. Probably not, but still...