Cochin Bantam Chick Genders

[MelBel123]

Hi everyone! I received my first flock of 16 Cochin bantam chicks just about 4 weeks ago and hoping to get some help sexing them. I can only keep 1 rooster so I’ll need to find homes for the others sooner rather than later. I know they’re still a little young to sex for sure but figured I’d try to get a head start on it.


I’ve known this buff cochin is more than likely a ROO since he was 2 weeks old. He has the biggest, reddest comb out of them all.

I’m guessing this blue Cochin is also a ROO?

This has been my favorite chick since day 1. I’m praying it’s a pullet but I’m undecided. Comb is definitely smaller than some but has a slight redness to it. Also, what would you consider this color? Blue? Splash?

Pretty Silver Pencil pullet

Another pic of my favorite chick and a buff pullet?

Black pullet?

Partridge pullet?

Black ? Comb is bigger than some but not red yet

I’m really enjoying my first chicken adventure so far and look forward to watching these fluffballs continue to grow

 

[Painted Calls]

4 weeks is a bit early, but Cochin bantam cockerels generally like to show their colors early. Your first buff is absolutely a cockerel. The blue looks questionable and so does the second silver penciled. All the rest appear to be pullets right now. Post updated pictures in 2-3 weeks and we should know for sure on the rest.

Your little splash looks like a pullet. Time will tell though! Enjoy your cochins - they're the best!

 

[MelBel123]

These little fluff balls are 6 weeks old today! Getting bigger, fluffier, and more personality everyday. Hoping to get some more opinions on genders because it’s looking like I have lots of boys that I’ll need to find homes for! Clearly I have terrible straight run luck lol

Looking like my favorite splash chick is a boy but he’s sweet so I may try to keep him.
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This blue is definitely a boy, he’s already trying to find his big boy voice
Blue pullet?

Partridge Pullet? This chick had chronic pasty butt for a couple weeks and is the biggest complainer but I’m glad she’s doing great now

Black pullet?

Red cockerel? This is the smallest chick but he’s always picking a fight with someone

I’m leaning toward pullet on this partridge but I feel like it could still go either way

Buff pair, Cockerel on the left (he is also crowing already) and pullet on the right

Another partridge pullet

Another buff pullet

Silver pencil & Black, both boys. The silver pencil is my friendliest chick

Another black cockerel, I’m pretty sure this one crows already too

Another black, I’m guessing cockerel?

Silver Pencil pullet?

Feedback from experienced Cochin bantam people appreciated! I’d like to start finding homes for some of these boys ASAP so they don’t hit puberty and start fighting each other.

 

[Painted Calls]

You do have a lot of cockerels there! Your assumption on each one is spot on!

 

[CSAchook]

These little fluff balls are 6 weeks old today! Getting bigger, fluffier, and more personality everyday. Hoping to get some more opinions on genders because it’s looking like I have lots of boys that I’ll need to find homes for! Clearly I have terrible straight run luck lol

Looking like my favorite splash chick is a boy but he’s sweet so I may try to keep him.
.View attachment 2132544
This blue is definitely a boy, he’s already trying to find his big boy voice View attachment 2132545
Blue pullet?
View attachment 2132553
Partridge Pullet? This chick had chronic pasty butt for a couple weeks and is the biggest complainer but I’m glad she’s doing great now ☺
View attachment 2132555
Black pullet?
View attachment 2132567
Red cockerel? This is the smallest chick but he’s always picking a fight with someone
View attachment 2132573
I’m leaning toward pullet on this partridge but I feel like it could still go either way
View attachment 2132575
Buff pair, Cockerel on the left (he is also crowing already) and pullet on the right
View attachment 2132581
Another partridge pullet
View attachment 2132582
Another buff pullet
View attachment 2132587
Silver pencil & Black, both boys. The silver pencil is my friendliest chick
View attachment 2132590
Another black cockerel, I’m pretty sure this one crows already too
View attachment 2132595
Another black, I’m guessing cockerel?
View attachment 2132596
Silver Pencil pullet?
View attachment 2132601
Feedback from experienced Cochin bantam people appreciated! I’d like to start finding homes for some of these boys ASAP so they don’t hit puberty and start fighting each other.

I agree with all of your assessments. Sorry you ended up with so many males

 

[MelBel123]

Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions! I’ve had a couple friends who have chickens tell me to wait until they’re 3 months to know for sure and that big red combs and crowing don’t always mean boy. However, everything I’ve read about Cochins says the boys develop really early. Have any of you had Cochins that you swore were boys but ended up being girls?

 

[Painted Calls]

With Cochins (especially bantams) you will always know for certain by 8 weeks. Most of the time you know by 4-5 weeks. If a pullet had that much comb and color (especially wattles), she's at POL.

Like you've read, Cochin cockerels color up and show their gender very early. On the complete opposite hand, pullets are slow to mature. They get color later, start laying later than most breeds, and are slower to grow.

 

[Krysea79]

I was wondering if you could help with these baby Cochins. The pics were taken at 3 weeks and I will post some new pics this weekend when they will be 4 weeks I am thinking the white one might be a cockerel as I think his comb is starting to get pinker. They are all so sweet! Thanks for any help

 

[Painted Calls]

I was wondering if you could help with these baby Cochins. The pics were taken at 3 weeks and I will post some new pics this weekend when they will be 4 weeks I am thinking the white one might be a cockerel as I think his comb is starting to get pinker. They are all so sweet! Thanks for any help

3 weeks is too early. I'll look at the 4 week pics, but you may need to post again at 5 weeks.

 

[Krysea79]

Thank you!! I will take some pictures of them tomorrow when I clean out the brooder. They will be 4 weeks + 1 or 2 days then I am trying to have the kids not get too attached as we won't be able to keep all of the roosters (I have a friend that will take them though)