So... I think I've learned that Easter Eggers don't grow large combs and wattles the way barred rock and buff orpingtons do. Can anyone confirm? I got a bunch of chicks back in April, three barred rock, four buff orpington, and hey why not, we'll take a chance on the easter egger and see if it's a girl. I thought it was... just a little red comb and no dangly wattles or anything. But it was always big and confident, not chasing the others but not backing down either. Suspicious, but I didn't have anything to compare it to. This week, I heard the most awful sound, like a cat was being strangled! Since I *do* have cats, I went out to see what was going on. And the EE stretched out its neck and... RRRRRRRrrrrrrrgggghhhhh. Darn it all, I was hoping for pretty blue green eggs! Here "he' is... http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/4854883293/ I don't really *need* three roosters, but he's beautiful. I made a flyer to put up in town, we'll see how long I last with three of them crowing at daybreak. And mid-morning. And all afternoon.
Yeah, that appears to be a cockerel. See those shiny, pointy feathers across his back and in his tail? That's some of the things to look for when trying to tell the difference.
