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

[debid]

Ok, I think I get it.  It's when the males get the red or white wingbars and the females look something like a Welsummer or Dorking.  Is duckwing it's own pattern, or does it include other patterns, like partridge, for example? (since partridge males get the wingbars) 

Also, are chipmunk chicks always going to be duckwing? 

Thanks for edumacatin' me!

As I understand it, all chipmunks are duck wing based. Partridge is one color palette possible with the duckwing or "wild type" patterning genes. But, something like a speckled Sussex is too so you can see how varied the looks can be depending on what else they have going on. I haven't seen her around here for ages but one of the board members had studied this stuff pretty extensively and she bred some gorgeous EEs. If you search for old posts by Illia, she was the hands-down expert on EE color patterns.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

As I understand it, all chipmunks are duck wing based. Partridge is one color palette possible with the duckwing or "wild type" patterning genes. But, something like a speckled Sussex is too so you can see how varied the looks can be depending on what else they have going on. I haven't seen her around here for ages but one of the board members had studied this stuff pretty extensively and she bred some gorgeous EEs. If you search for old posts by Illia, she was the hands-down expert on EE color patterns.

I remember Illia's posts (and her beautiful rainbow egg avatar) and her saying that there wasn't much mystery in knowing what the adult plumage will look like. I was new to all the info at the time, too much to take in at once, but it is slowly percolating through the ol' brain. Amazing how experienced folks can tell a blue from a lavender from a splash just by the down. Got to learn to recognize the subtleties.

Thanks again!

 

[dowgirl71]

Hi, I just got an EE chick, a couple weeks ago, and I chose it because its coloring was different from the others in the pen. They told me it could be a "blue." She (I hope) is still very cute and of course, we are attached to "Suzy," but this chick has started to develop the rust colored feathers on her shoulders. After some of the posts that I've read, I'm wondering if it is a male. We can't have roosters where I live. I just started with chickens last spring, and got my first EEs, this spring.

 

[debid]

Hi, I just got an EE chick, a couple weeks ago, and I chose it because its coloring was different from the others in the pen.  They told me it could be a "blue."  She (I hope) is still very cute and of course, we are attached to "Suzy," but this chick has started to develop the rust colored feathers on her shoulders.  After some of the posts that I've read, I'm wondering if it is a male.  We can't have roosters where I live.  I just started with chickens last spring, and got my first EEs, this spring. 

Uh oh... A photo would confirm it but that sounds like classic cockerel coloring.

 

[bruceha2000]

okay i got an odd question and thought to post it here, hoping those of you who have grown laying hens can answer it. i have four EEs about 7 weeks and one about 3 weeks. my question is: at what age does the EEs start to lay?

There is a whole thread on that question so you aren't the only person wondering. The somewhat inclusive answer seems to be something like "20 weeks to a year". I think most fell in the 22 to 28 week time frame. One of mine started at 23 weeks, the other at 26 but she has ONLY laid Large whereas the first to lay teeters back and forth across the Medium and Large line. They've both been great layers, the earlier 68% of the days since she started, the later 74%.

I'm new to chickens this year & I think I might have a rooster. I've read much of the advice as to how to sex them but am still very confused. Can any one help?




This is Nut. He/she is an EE about 7wks old.

Geez, that one is tough! First, big bird fo 7 weeks, if it is a girl, you might want to get some Jumbo egg cartons

I don't see a lot of comb but even trying to account for penciling, the neck feathers are kind of pointy. Guess we have to give it a few more weeks.

This is the one that I had been previously thinking was a girl but now..... ?


full shot of same bird as above. Her/his tail is long and usually up a bit more but she was freaking out being in the house here.

Another one of the same bird, with a better shot of her tail. She is the most bedraggled chicken I've ever seen.

Ugly teen years?


Here is the one that I had previously thought was a boy. The comb is just a wee bit pinker than is showing in this photo.

Lots of comb in that first picture, unlike the second bird. With that "down" tail and neck feathers, I wonder what the parents were of the second.

Quote:

This is him (?) today. In comparing with the black one I have this looks total rooster to me. The legs are thicker too. The black one barely has a comb and it is flesh colored. The flash drowned out the color in this one a little bit in the second picture. I see no red at all on him. Both parents were Ameraucana but he has all the colors together so I would say they are Easter Eggers. Anybody else agree with cockerel or is it too early.

There does seem to be a fairly clear 3 row comb.
A "true" Ameraucana can be bred to another and still get a chick that doesn't meet the color criteria. Then you get into the whole argument about where it is an Ameracuana or an EE. I'm not going there

Luckily, the person who is taking all of my "boys" will be happy to give back any that turn into pullets.

WOW! You live in the land of fairy tales. Not only do you have a home for the cockerels, you get them back if they turn out to be girls!!

What do you think this is?

A chicken?

How old? Comb ridge is somewhat prominent.

Ok, I think I get it. It's when the males get the red or white wingbars and the females look something like a Welsummer or Dorking. Is duckwing it's own pattern, or does it include other patterns, like partridge, for example? (since partridge males get the wingbars)

Also, are chipmunk chicks always going to be duckwing?

Thanks for edumacatin' me!

My EE girls were both chipmunky, one more than the other. One turned out orange, the other more of a partridge pattern. How NOT odd that the Partridge Chanteclers were also chipmunk and other than leg color, it was hard for me to tell the three apart for a week or so

.

Hi, I just got an EE chick, a couple weeks ago, and I chose it because its coloring was different from the others in the pen. They told me it could be a "blue." She (I hope) is still very cute and of course, we are attached to "Suzy," but this chick has started to develop the rust colored feathers on her shoulders. After some of the posts that I've read, I'm wondering if it is a male. We can't have roosters where I live. I just started with chickens last spring, and got my first EEs, this spring.

Can't guess without pictures ... and age

Bruce

 

[dowgirl71]

So, this is "Suzy." She (I hope) was hatched on Mar. 31st. Thanks for your input.

 

[Hormesishealer]

The batch of birds this one comes from is 10 weeks old. I was told they are an Americana mix but not really sure. Pretty sure this is a Roo. Any feedback?

 

[5chicks1roo]

Thoughts on these 2 EE's? Both about 6 weeks old, brought them home on March 8th. They are our "lap chickens" and prefer being held.

#1 (thought this one was a female but it's been picking fights and running circles with our bantam mille roo and a couple silkies)


#2 (pretty sure Grey half-crowed this morning lol)

 

[Cotton42]

The batch of birds this one comes from is 10 weeks old. I was told they are an Americana mix but not really sure. Pretty sure this is a Roo. Any feedback?

Ten weeks old and a comb like that? You're looking at a roo for sure.

 

[salt and pepper]

Quote: It is four weeks