Cockerel or Pullet? SLW

[Shox820]

i have six chicks that are 20 days old and 5 of them have long wings, getting very feathered and have prominent tail feathers. One of my SLW still has small wings, no tail feathers, and still basically covered in down except the short wing feathers. Any way to tell if its a cockerel or just a slow developing pullet? All were vent sexed female.

The first two images are the one in question, the third is the other slw I have thats the same age. The last is them side by side. I am able to swap any roosters out with the farm but I’m just not sure yet. We can’t have them where I live.

 

[TOMTE]

Much too young to tell. Wyandottes aren't autosexing, so without an experienced vent sexer, you'll have to wait until they're 6-8 weeks old to start to see differences.

 

[Ajp23]

I agree that it’s a little too soon to know for sure. However, I’ve had several late bloomers in the feather department who have turned out to be beautiful pullets

 

[Shox820]

Much too young to tell. Wyandottes aren't autosexing, so without an experienced vent sexer, you'll have to wait until they're 6-8 weeks old to start to see differences.

That’s helpful.

 

[Shox820]

I agree that it’s a little too soon to know for sure. However, I’ve had several late bloomers in the feather department who have turned out to be beautiful pullets

That’s great to hear. I just keep seeing conflicting info that late feathering is an indicator of a roo. So if I need to swap I wanted to do it earlier than later. Sounds like a waiting game. Thanks.

 

[TOMTE]

That’s helpful.

Good! Around that time, cockerels will start to develop their combs and wattles more quickly than pullets (usually). So if you have a chick with a bigger, redder comb compared to the others, it might be a cockerel, or it could just be a faster growing pullet. By 12-16 weeks you should be able to tell for sure who's a pullet and who's a cockerel. But still, there can always be surprises! Sometimes you have to wait to see who's laying, and if anybody is crowing.

Oh and, WELCOME TO BYC!! I hope you love it here as much as I do

 

[Shox820]

Good! Around that time, cockerels will start to develop their combs and wattles more quickly than pullets (usually). So if you have a chick with a bigger, redder comb compared to the others, it might be a cockerel, or it could just be a faster growing pullet. By 12-16 weeks you should be able to tell for sure who's a pullet and who's a cockerel. But still, there can always be surprises! Sometimes you have to wait to see who's laying, and if anybody is crowing.

Oh and, WELCOME TO BYC!! I hope you love it here as much as I do

I have found more answers on this page doing searches so figured it couldn’t hurt to join. Thank you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I just keep seeing conflicting info that late feathering is an indicator of a roo.

Yes, you get that on this forum a lot. That can even be true if the father is pure for the fast feathering gene and the mother has the dominant slow feathering gene. Since both parents are the same breed that is tremendously unlikely. Some people see an effect and don't realize there is a cause.

It is too early to tell with yours. In another two to three weeks post photos and we might be able to help. I'd need a photo showing a close-up of the head so I can see the comb and wattles, if any. If the comb is red, likely a boy. Yellow or pink, could be a girl. If you can see wattles at that age probably a boy.

I also like a profile photo showing legs and posture. Thick heavy legs indicate a boy, skinny legs a girl. An upright posture signals a boy, bent over a girl. Sometimes body conformation can give a clue.

Behaviors can give a clue. Boys are often braver and more curious. If they come out to greet you expect it to be a boy. If they hang in the background it is more likely a girl.

Sometimes it is obvious by 5 weeks or even younger. Sometimes I can't be sure until 4 months or so. Usually I have a pretty good clue by 5 weeks but it can be rough.

Good luck!

 

[Shox820]

Yes, you get that on this forum a lot. That can even be true if the father is pure for the fast feathering gene and the mother has the dominant slow feathering gene. Since both parents are the same breed that is tremendously unlikely. Some people see an effect and don't realize there is a cause.

It is too early to tell with yours. In another two to three weeks post photos and we might be able to help. I'd need a photo showing a close-up of the head so I can see the comb and wattles, if any. If the comb is red, likely a boy. Yellow or pink, could be a girl. If you can see wattles at that age probably a boy.

I also like a profile photo showing legs and posture. Thick heavy legs indicate a boy, skinny legs a girl. An upright posture signals a boy, bent over a girl. Sometimes body conformation can give a clue.

Behaviors can give a clue. Boys are often braver and more curious. If they come out to greet you expect it to be a boy. If they hang in the background it is more likely a girl.

Sometimes it is obvious by 5 weeks or even younger. Sometimes I can't be sure until 4 months or so. Usually I have a pretty good clue by 5 weeks but it can be rough.

Good luck!

No sign of combs or wattles yet on these two. The feathered one is the most out going of the 6. Will fly up into my hands. The non feathered is the most timid of the 6. Will keep everyone posted. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[EnderianQueen]

Much too young to tell. Wyandottes aren't autosexing, so without an experienced vent sexer, you'll have to wait until they're 6-8 weeks old to start to see differences.

Wings can also be used to tell