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

[Wishing4Wings]

I think you mean weeks not months.

Derp! Yes, thank you. I corrected myself once in the post, but the brain has a mind of its own these days.

 

[aoxa]

Pullets can have 3 raised rows but it happens later (as they near POL). And, males can have a single row. Some males have a ridge with well-defined peas and then show the side rows later like a pullet. I've even seen a few with a single ridge that has no points and no side rows. Lots of funky looks emerge with mixing comb types and this is is why it's more subjective than simply counting rows.

Thanks for getting into more detail. I should have clarified this was only juveniles. Not near POL.



I have yet to have a young pullet with three raised rows, but have had boys wait until later to have a raised comb. By that point, their feathers already gave their gender away.

 

[debid]

My Agnes Moose has three rows these days and her comb now looks just like a 10 to 14-week cockerel's... But, she's 20+ weeks old. She pinked a bit at six weeks and I could see the rows just starting to get definition at around 12 weeks. My cockerel, OTOH, had a pink single row of peas by four weeks and side rows by 8. So, her development was quite slow compared to his. But, you toss a few slow-developing boys in the mix and it gets harder to say by the comb alone.

 

[mckenzy]

these are my easter eggers. What gender do you think they are? 18 weeks old

this one I really question, its in the first pic on the left side

Looks just like my Beep2 who I am still not convinced is Hen. But everyone here thinks she is female without any doubts.

 

[aoxa]

My Agnes Moose has three rows these days and her comb now looks just like a 10 to 14-week cockerel's... But, she's 20+ weeks old. She pinked a bit at six weeks and I could see the rows just starting to get definition at around 12 weeks. My cockerel, OTOH, had a pink single row of peas by four weeks and side rows by 8. So, her development was quite slow compared to his. But, you toss a few slow-developing boys in the mix and it gets harder to say by the comb alone.

Agree 100%

I wouldn't judge based on comb alone. Colour first. 3 raised rows before fully feathered would have me really pointing to cockerel though. I don't often see large combs in the EEs before they are fully feathered. Most times anyway. There are a few oddballs that get their combs before their feathers.

what are your experiences with feathering rate? My boys are almost always slower to feather out. Often taking 6-8 weeks to be fully feathered. My girls are done at week 5-6 often times.


5 weeks - not fully feathered out.



and now @ 7 weeks. I got his age wrong last post. He still hasn't completely finished.

Isn't it crazy what a couple weeks can do?

 

[Critter Crue]

My two EE's are in their 6th week now. The first we are calling Ginger, I am pretty sure she is a pullet






The second we are calling Chiquita, but I am not convinced she is a pullet.



She is also a bit cross beaked

 

[aoxa]

My two EE's are in their 6th week now. The first we are calling Ginger, I am pretty sure she is a pullet




The second we are calling Chiquita, but I am not convinced she is a pullet.



She is also a bit cross beaked

Both of them are girls!

 

[Critter Crue]

Both of them are girls!

Thanks, but can I ask what leans you toward girl on Chiquita? Her comb is so red.

 

[aoxa]

Thanks, but can I ask what leans you toward girl on Chiquita? Her comb is so red.

It's very flat, and not red enough for me to consider boy. Also, her colouring is feminine

Comb of a cockerel one week older than her.

Your pullet is the epitome of a single raised row.

 

[debid]

what are your experiences with feathering rate? My boys are almost always slower to feather out. Often taking 6-8 weeks to be fully feathered. My girls are done at week 5-6 often times.

I've only had the one cockerel (sexed pullet whoops). He feathered in pretty fast, though. There was a range with the fastest and slowest both being female. So... I don't put much stock in feathering rates. Agnes was the fastest I've ever seen (she had a tail started at day 3, mostly covered in the third week) but also had the most dubious stance/build and crazy thick legs. Thank goodness patterning is reliable!