Easter Egger Sexing "tips and tricks" *Pictures Included*

[tvlgal85]

Here are some closer pics of Imogene. (Name pending until confirmed rooster

)





Those long red feathers on the tail are what I was assuming we're saddle feathers? I am new to this but I thought red meant rooster? Also, the pea comb is quite large compared to the others. What do you think? Rooster
I would say Roo. I have one that looks just like it.

 

[mymilliefleur]

Here are some closer pics of Imogene. (Name pending until confirmed rooster

)





Those long red feathers on the tail are what I was assuming we're saddle feathers? I am new to this but I thought red meant rooster? Also, the pea comb is quite large compared to the others. What do you think? Rooster?

I still on the fence with this one, but I'm leaning more and more toward rooster, based on the red patches he has coming in, and that red comb. Saddle feathers are the pointy feathers cockerels get between the base of the neck, wings, and tail.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Here are some closer pics of Imogene. (Name pending until confirmed rooster

)





Those long red feathers on the tail are what I was assuming we're saddle feathers? I am new to this but I thought red meant rooster? Also, the pea comb is quite large compared to the others. What do you think? Rooster?

Okay, now I can see better. I turned up the brightness on my screen!

Age really matters when sexing these guys. If Imogene is closer to 8 wks, then I'd start calling him Gene. If Imogene is closer to 16 wks, I'd wait and hold out hope for a pullet. So the big question- How old is Imogene??

Seeing patches of red on the upper wings is an early sign of a male in EEs with gold color genes. Saddle feathers can be any color and usually start to come in around 12 weeks on either side of the backbone, just above the tail. In a male, saddle feathers hang down, are very thin, long, sharply pointed, and have a glassy sheen. Even with my nice bright screen, I am not sure about the saddle feathers on Imogene, but leaning toward male.


I took another look at Iris. She has a patchy pattern, but I don't see any dark red on the shoulder, so still thinking she is a pullet. Unless she is younger than I expect. Again, it is very helpful to know the age.



Here is a 15 wk old cockerel to show male saddle feathers. (This one originally called Iris, renamed RuPaul.)

 

[bruceha2000]

Any ideas on these two "females" I got from the feed store? I'm wondering if the black one is a roo. They're at least 9 weeks old, probably 10. Thanks!!

I'm going with both likely being pullets.

I'm just suspicious of the longer narrower feathers flopping over from the back at the base of the tail. While they aren't "saddle feathers" they make me suspicious of "what's to come." But the saddles should start making an appearance in just the next couple of weeks if there are to be any. You'll first spot them between and under the wings up almost to the base of the neck. Other than that, comb and color says pullet! I don't see anything remotely concerning about a pullet diagnosis of chick #1.

One of my now 19 week old EEs had longer, loose feathers at the base of her tail at one point in her feather development. Made me a bit nervous!

I do have a young male EE that's around 6 months old.

The feed store said they were females, but the person I talked to didn't know which hatchery they were from. The light brown one has had a darker comb for over a month now, which made me suspicious.

The black and white one has such long curvy tail feathers! Could that just be the breed it was crossed with? They're also got a bit of a greenish tint to them. I do hope they're pullets, though, because the 1 rooster I have is more than enough! I also reeeally want those blue eggs, lol.

That is the question I ALWAYS have with EE chicks! Since they are, by definition, not any specific cross, you can get ANYTHING. I was concerned about Penelope because her comb was a little bigger and more red than the other girls'. Easy comparison with Athena here, you can see why I was worried. But nope, now 19+ weeks, not a boy. About 8 weeks here:

Here are some closer pics of Imogene. (Name pending until confirmed rooster

)


Those long red feathers on the tail are what I was assuming we're saddle feathers? I am new to this but I thought red meant rooster? Also, the pea comb is quite large compared to the others. What do you think? Rooster?

Imo(gene) is a puzzle! The feathers at the base of the tail are very rounded, that would suggest pullet. The comb is raised some but looks to be single row, also more common in pullets. The tail feathers are longer and looser than what I think of in an EE pullet (never had a roo). Mine (5 total) all have/had the more compact wider tail feathers like your brown/gold one. And then there is the issue of the red. It sure does look like "EE Rooster Red" but is ONLY down by and on the tail whereas the place that is usually telling starts as small patches on the wings by the shoulder.

Yep, is a puzzlement!

 

[dgrasseth]

Okay, now I can see better. I turned up the brightness on my screen!

Age really matters when sexing these guys. If Imogene is closer to 8 wks, then I'd start calling him Gene. If Imogene is closer to 16 wks, I'd wait and hold out hope for a pullet. So the big question- How old is Imogene?? Seeing patches of red on the upper wings is an early sign of a male in EEs with gold color genes. Saddle feathers can be any color and usually start to come in around 12 weeks on either side of the backbone, just above the tail. In a male, saddle feathers hang down, are very thin, long, sharply pointed, and have a glassy sheen. Even with my nice bright screen, I am not sure about the saddle feathers on Imogene, but leaning toward male. I took another look at Iris. She has a patchy pattern, but I don't see any dark red on the shoulder, so still thinking she is a pullet. Unless she is younger than I expect. Again, it is very helpful to know the age. Here is a 15 wk old cockerel to show male saddle feathers. (This one originally called Iris, renamed RuPaul.)

Oh yes! Age would be very helpful!! GeeZ sorry! Imogene is only 7 weeks!!

I got him...? August 27th. Assuming he was only a day old when I bought them

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Oh yes! Age would be very helpful!! GeeZ sorry! Imogene is only 7 weeks!!

I got him...? August 27th. Assuming he was only a day old when I bought them

They looked older than that for some reason. Sorry to give you false hope.


The comb is big and red for a 7-8 wk EE, so yes, Imogene's a cockerel. Male saddles will show up in several weeks. Upside is, he's going to be gorgeous!


Now knowing that Iris is also 7-8 wks, I think you have to wait a few weeks before you can tell sure. The dark red wings usually start showing by now, but given the shortening of days, I think you have to account for a little slower development. I have seen the patchy partridge pattern go either way. What does her comb look like? A pale, single, low, ridge running down the center is typical for a pullet. Cockerels have a fatter, more lumpy looking ridge, like 2 bumpy rows running parallel down either side of a central bumpy ridge.

 

[katatonic123]

@Wishing4Wings I have some new pictures for you!

4 weeks old from ee/silkie hen and ee/silkie or ee/Japanese bantam roo

 

[Wishing4Wings]

@Wishing4Wings I have some new pictures for you!



4 weeks old from ee/silkie hen and ee/silkie or ee/Japanese bantam roo

Wow, squeaked in one last hatch before it gets too cold. Cuties as usual. The third one sure stands out from the crowd. Already learned a good stink eye too! See if that one turns out to be a cockerel. As for the rest....

They're all pullets until they aren't!

 

[katatonic123]

That's what I was afraid of. That's my little Miracle that I was just sure wouldn't hatch. I'm going to be so sad if it's a he. I sure didn't intend to have another hatch. PJ had other plans.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

That's what I was afraid of. That's my little Miracle that I was just sure wouldn't hatch. I'm going to be so sad if it's a he. I sure didn't intend to have another hatch. PJ had other plans.

Well, you never know! The comb is still very pale.

I refuse to fall in love or have favorites any more. They always end up being cockerels or getting sick or killed.