Cockerals vs. Pullets

[miraclz5]

We got chicks for the first time a couple of weeks ago....we got straight run as we wanted farm raised babies that did not have to be shipped in the mail....we have a variety of breeds...and so all are maturing a little differently and at different rates. My question is, are combs/ comb areas more noticeable, more prominent earlier on cockerals than pullets???A couple of the breeds we have this appears to be the case (although I don't know who is who yet, LOL)......the comb area is markedly different. Just wondering as I have kids and we are dealing with one of the downsides of straight run and a private farm! Thanks for your time and your thoughts.

 

[pride&joy]

can you post pics?

 

[FMAFarms]

Each breed will develop at a different breed from the rest. My Orpingtons get their combs in early; my Cochins are pretty much the last to develop their combs. They're all the same age. They just mature at different rates. My Lavender Orp, Gloria, has a very noticeable red comb at just over 6 weeks of age. My male Ameraucana, Eggbert, has just the slightest bump and he's the same age, while my Booted Bantam is much smaller than both of them, a week younger, and her comb is larger than Eggbert's. If you list what breeds you have (or post pix if you don't know) we might be able to tell you. Maybe!

 

[wowmanacat]

I am not sure about the combs but I was reading on another thread about when you hold a chick a rooster will have its legs straight out and a hen will curl its feet up under it. I am not sure if this is true but I am going to try it once my eggs hatch to see what happens.

 

[miraclz5]

I am new at this Back Yard Chickens thing, so I haven't figured out how to download pictures. I have a mixed bunch as we wanted a colorful flock! LOL I have Marans, Barnevelders, Wyandottes, Cochins, Olive Eggers and Sussex. Some of the greatest contrast in comb differences is within the same breed...we have a splash cochin that has a very noticeable red comb emerging while we have a black and a couple of blues that barely have any combs noticeable and definitely not reddish in color. The same examples are true with the Wyandottes....just curious if that is any indication one way or the other, or just individual birds. Thanks

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=504 That link will explain how to post pics.