Cochin experts...male or female?

[LorahS]

My Ameraucana pullets have spur buds and I know they're not exclusively on males - though they're more common in some breeds than others. It will also depend on the lines of the birds you have. If these are both indeed 14 weeks old, then you shouldn't have much to worry about (both very much appear to be pullets). If they are under 12 weeks, then there is more uncertainty as that's when feathering and late bloomer combs often start to appear. Once and a blue moon there is a male that matures very very late, but I've never come across any that you couldn't tell what sex they were by 8-12 weeks.

They are 14 weeks and 3 days when I took these pictures. Thx for the info!

 

[JadeFarms]

Females do have spur buds. Females can sometimes even develop spurs over time. They’re girls.

 

[LorahS]

I’m actually slightly concerned about that chickens iris : pupil.... is that normal?

I was too initially. It been that way since she/he was 2 weeks old. No symptoms of illness. It’s actually the iris pigmentation. I’ve been on a few threads of people who also had this with their chickens, so not too concerned anymore .

 

[Aapomp831]

I was too initially. It been that way since she/he was 2 weeks old. No symptoms of illness. It’s actually the iris pigmentation. I’ve been on a few threads of people who also had this with their chickens, so not too concerned anymore .

Ok! I’m by no means a chicken disease expert, but I remember hearing that irregular pupils can be a sign of ocular mareks. But if you say she’s fine... she certainly is adorable. I used to have a bantam partridge Cochin roo

 

[LorahS]

Ok! I’m by no means a chicken disease expert, but I remember hearing that irregular pupils can be a sign of ocular mareks. But if you say she’s fine... she certainly is adorable. I used to have a bantam partridge Cochin roo

Trust me, I was super concerned! These are also my first and only chickens...which greatly reduces the likelihood of Merricks. Thanks I think they’re pretty adorable too!

 

[Painted Calls]

Did they come from a hatchery?

 

[black_cat]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone! Again, only started worrying bc the splash has such a shorter back (and more scooped). I noticed today that both had spur buds too!

Girls can have spurs! A hen at my local farm has giant ones

Spoiler: Giant Spurs

 

[LorahS]

Did they come from a hatchery?

I believe so. I got them at 3 days old from a family owned farm. But I believe she gets most of her breeds from a hatchery. They were suppose to be vaccinated.