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

[Annadurai]

I suspect 10 and 7 to be males.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I suspect 10 and 7 to be males.

I didn't suspect those two, but the combs aren't clear enough to really see well. I was wondering about #9.

 

[Kalan]

Hi, everyone:

Been lurking on this forum for about 6 months and finally decided to register and post.

The reason is Vera. You see she's got the female Easter egger feathering pattern, she was sexed as a female from a Mcmurray as a day-old. She's now 4 months old so I thought she'd either crow or have a solid redness to her pea comb right now if she were a roo.

But look at the three rows in her pea comb in the first two pictures below. It's small but I see three. Also she is clearly at the top of her pecking order. I see no red in her shoulders, but now I'm questioning how female those hackle and saddle feathers really look. Is it the lacing that's confusing me? I can't help but wonder now. Is Vera a he?

Your thoughts?
Alan

 

[bbhorsefly]

Hi, everyone:

Been lurking on this forum for about 6 months and finally decided to register and post.

The reason is Vera. You see she's got the female Easter egger feathering pattern, she was sexed as a female from a Mcmurray as a day-old. She's now 4 months old so I thought she'd either crow or have a solid redness to her pea comb right now if she were a roo.

But look at the three rows in her pea comb in the first two pictures below. It's small but I see three. Also she is clearly at the top of her pecking order. I see no red in her shoulders, but now I'm questioning how female those hackle and saddle feathers really look. Is it the lacing that's confusing me? I can't help but wonder now. Is Vera a he?

Your thoughts?
Alan

The three row rule is a generalization. I still think you have a pullet. Mine are only 3 months old, but check out my boys saddle feathers and combs...

Your 4 month old has a comb that looks like my boys did at 7-9 weeks. I don't see any hackles or saddle feathers. I would be expecting her comb to be filling out and reddening now as she prepares to lay.

 

[junebuggena]

Hi, everyone:

Been lurking on this forum for about 6 months and finally decided to register and post.

The reason is Vera. You see she's got the female Easter egger feathering pattern, she was sexed as a female from a Mcmurray as a day-old. She's now 4 months old so I thought she'd either crow or have a solid redness to her pea comb right now if she were a roo.

But look at the three rows in her pea comb in the first two pictures below. It's small but I see three. Also she is clearly at the top of her pecking order. I see no red in her shoulders, but now I'm questioning how female those hackle and saddle feathers really look. Is it the lacing that's confusing me? I can't help but wonder now. Is Vera a he?

Your thoughts?
Alan

She's a pullet. All males with pea combs have three rows. Occasionally a pullet will have a three row comb. Since hers is still small and fairly flat, it's safe to say she's a pullet. I have some girls with similar hackles.



As for saddle feathers, hers are broad and rounded. This is what a cockerel's saddle feathers look like (he's the red one).

 

[bbhorsefly]

And let me just also say that your girl is very very pretty! She has amazing coloring and such a wonderful muff and beard! I noticed just tonight that my 3mo girls are just starting to pinken and have a tad bit more of comb growth like yours! It just kind of hit me, "my little girls are going lay eggs!" Haha

 

[bruceha2000]

3 rows of peas in comb equals male.

.... usually. There is no "always".

 

[bruceha2000]

Hi, everyone:

Been lurking on this forum for about 6 months and finally decided to register and post.

The reason is Vera. You see she's got the female Easter egger feathering pattern, she was sexed as a female from a Mcmurray as a day-old. She's now 4 months old so I thought she'd either crow or have a solid redness to her pea comb right now if she were a roo.

But look at the three rows in her pea comb in the first two pictures below. It's small but I see three. Also she is clearly at the top of her pecking order. I see no red in her shoulders, but now I'm questioning how female those hackle and saddle feathers really look. Is it the lacing that's confusing me? I can't help but wonder now. Is Vera a he?

Your thoughts?
Alan

Yes, the lacing is confusing you ... and a lot of others

Makes the feathers LOOK pointed when they are not. When you don't want a roo, every possible sign that it COULD be a roo gets stuck in your head. At 16 weeks she most likely would have crowed and have significant saddle feathers.

 

[jane s chickens]

I only see 1 row of peas in her comb.

 

[newmarch2014]

I only see 1 row of peas in her comb.

are you talking about Kalan's hen? Go to her original post and click on the top pic, the 2nd and 3rd rows are coming in.