EE 1 Pullet (has a very even color pattern suggests hen)I have three EE's that are two months old. My guess is that #1 & #2 are roos and #3 is a pullet. Any thoughts?
I have both EEs and Dominiques that little chick looks like a hen to me. I am not sure what specific signs would be for a roo of that mix. Besides a more developed comb or and irregular color pattern. You may have olive colored eggs.Does anyone know what kind of signs I'd be looking for to indicated rooster vs. pullet in a Dominique/Easter Egger cross? (Rooster is a Dominique, mama hen is an Easter Egger.)
This is what they look like at 6 weeks...Their combs are all flat with no bumps/ridges so far. Also, if I have any hens, would I expect to have brown eggs instead of green since they took on the color patterns of the Dominique?
Chick 1
Chick 2
Chick 3
Does anyone know what kind of signs I'd be looking for to indicated rooster vs. pullet in a Dominique/Easter Egger cross? (Rooster is a Dominique, mama hen is an Easter Egger.)
This is what they look like at 6 weeks...Their combs are all flat with no bumps/ridges so far. Also, if I have any hens, would I expect to have brown eggs instead of green since they took on the color patterns of the Dominique?
Chick 1
Chick 2
Chick 3
There's nothing inherently wrong with them not having a tail. Lacking one is more indicative of recent Aracauna ancestry (which is a good thing because that's where the blue egg gene came from originally). Lacking a tail can cause problems with mating or make for a dirtier-than-average rump, depending on who you talk to. The real problem with Aracaunas is their ear tuft gene which is homozygous lethal (one quarter of offspring between two tufted birds will die in the shell, and another quarter won't have tufts at all, which makes them unshowable). Tailless is just interesting and adds some visual interest, but it's not detrimental to a bird. Matter of fact, there are at least two breeds which must be shown tailless: the Manx Rumpy and the Aracauna.
Dont' put too much stock on iridescence: most of my girls got it before the boys. Wyandottes are the worst offenders for gender ambiguity (next up being the Brahmas). Both of my EE roos developed super bright combs almost overnight by week 7. One was crowing by week 8. With EEs, so far the biggest clue has been comb size and color. Both genders (out of seven original birds, all sexed as pullets) feathered in at the same speed. Boys had brilliant red shoulders by week 8, were starting to work on sickle and saddles feathers by week 9, but had very round hackles. EEs in general crow the earliest of breeds known to me, so keep your ears out because it's likely to happen soon if you've got a roo. Also, check his legs against known girls. My boys had markedly thicker legs, though the difference was not quite as obvious as it was in some other breeds (like the Orpingtons and Welsummers).9 week update.
There are a few things I've noticed regarding my black EE chicks that haven't been touched on. Keep in mind that I'm still unsure of their genders with 100% certainty, but I'm willing to wager that Chick 1 is a cockerel, and 2 is a pullet.
Here are the things I've observed over the last two weeks:
Chick 1: Developed pointed/v-shaped feathers on the rump quite early on. These feathers have sort of a corona of sheen around the perimiter of each. The photo didn't pick up the shine, but the areas that look lighter are actually shiny.
Compare to Chick 2:
Another thing that has been apparent since roughly week 7, is a band of very brilliant iridescence on Chick 1's wings. His full black and white brother (a known cockerel via comb development) who I sadly lost to predation last week, also displayed this bright iridescent band. All of his plumage has a green/blue/purple sheen, but not as pronounced as this wing band.
Again, photos don't really do it justice, but it is very luminous and apparent.
(Here is a photo of his deceased brother to illustrate what I mean)
This sheen was only on his wing bands.
Compare to Chick 2, who displays what I would say is a normal degree of iridescence found on black birds.
I don't know how much weight this holds, if any, but I'll keep everyone updated as to whether they stay the genders predicted, or if they throw me for a loop.
Ditto
Another thing that has been apparent since roughly week 7, is a band of very brilliant iridescence on Chick 1's wings. His full black and white brother (a known cockerel via comb development) who I sadly lost to predation last week, also displayed this bright iridescent band. All of his plumage has a green/blue/purple sheen, but not as pronounced as this wing band.
Again, photos don't really do it justice, but it is very luminous and apparent.
(Here is a photo of his deceased brother to illustrate what I mean)
This sheen was only on his wing bands.
Compare to Chick 2, who displays what I would say is a normal degree of iridescence found on black birds.
I don't know how much weight this holds, if any, but I'll keep everyone updated as to whether they stay the genders predicted, or if they throw me for a loop.
