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

[Wishing4Wings]

Got a quick kinda off topic question if you all don't mind. I have some EE's and pure ams that for some reason seem to think everybodys beard is delicious.

How in the world do I get them to stop eating each others beards? I want to keep the fluffiest ones but it's kinda hard to tell when it's never there. lol They're fed Layer pellets and get a couple hours a day free ranging the yard(1/3 acre) and even get scrambled eggs when I find a cracked egg in the boxes. (usually once a week or so) So I don't think its nutritional... Even the big meanie Roo is "shaved" now.

I had that happen last year. Read that feather picking might mean they need more protein. Personally, I think it is from boredom or maybe they're a bit crowded. Seemed it started when I didn't let them out of the run to range until the afternoon one time. Hang a head of cabbage in the run and give them something to pick at besides beards. Also, add some roosts or a big log in the run to add interest and a place to get away from each other.

 

[BartolicsBroods]

Here are our EE's just wondering if anyone has any guesses at this point, and then a pic of a bird we think might be a white EE

my husband wanted me to take a picture of her tush because she's getting so many hip feathers in compared to all of our other chicks

her face

she hates me and like only my husband (excuse the dye the tractor place did it

)

another face shot

this is puffy, and I am very afraid she might be going scissor beak, it only lines up on the left side and gapes open on the right

no pink, or red....

from her side that lines up

this is snow who doesn't stop wiggling, no pink/red either

side view

this is one that I've worred a little bit about, but she is really orange now

her whole top of her head is orange feathers but not really pink/red either

This is our suspected Roo, redish comb

it is really skittish

you can't really see it well but at the top of the comb there is a single bump coming out already
this is a younger chick, but we were wondering if anyone had a white EE start to feather like this, at first we thought she was a Buff Orp....but all of the others are gold colored and have far more feathers for being hatched the same day (we almost lost this chick. We had to feed her from an eye dropper for several days until she got her strength back)

the other side

Sorry it was such a long post, any opinions would be super great! Thanks!

 

[LadyCluck77]

The two with dye on them seem to have redder and broader combs. Maybe it just looks that way in comparison with the color of the heads... Anyone else see that too?

 

[LonelyPageTurne]

Well, we put Pearl up last night and got a lot of help...thank you! So now it's Glady's turn for scrutiny. What do you think, cockerel or pullet at 10 weeks old...I'm thinking girl. (Who am I kidding? She's one of my two favorites - I'm hoping girl!)

Has a lot of roo characteristics.

 

[Blooie]

Has a lot of roo characteristics.

<gulp> I was hoping not to hear that! LOL

 

[debid]

Well, we put Pearl up last night and got a lot of help...thank you! So now it's Glady's turn for scrutiny. What do you think, cockerel or pullet at 10 weeks old...I'm thinking girl. (Who am I kidding? She's one of my two favorites - I'm hoping girl!)

Pullet! Zero comb change at 10 weeks and classic pullet patterning in early photos. My orange gal went through this same blotchy stage and ended up regaining the patterning after her first big girl molt. The red ones always make me nervous but I think you're pretty safe with this one.

 

[debid]

Here are our EE's just wondering if anyone has any guesses at this point, and then a pic of a bird we think might be a white EE my husband wanted me to take a picture of her tush because she's getting so many hip feathers in compared to all of our other chicks her face she hates me and like only my husband (excuse the dye the tractor place did it ) another face shot this is puffy, and I am very afraid she might be going scissor beak, it only lines up on the left side and gapes open on the right no pink, or red.... from her side that lines up this is snow who doesn't stop wiggling, no pink/red either side view this is one that I've worred a little bit about, but she is really orange now her whole top of her head is orange feathers but not really pink/red either This is our suspected Roo, redish comb it is really skittish you can't really see it well but at the top of the comb there is a single bump coming out already this is a younger chick, but we were wondering if anyone had a white EE start to feather like this, at first we thought she was a Buff Orp....but all of the others are gold colored and have far more feathers for being hatched the same day (we almost lost this chick. We had to feed her from an eye dropper for several days until she got her strength back) the other side Sorry it was such a long post, any opinions would be super great! Thanks!

I don't think the dyed ones are EEs at all. They look like silver laced Wyandottes which can be quite difficult to sex this early. I'd watch for white wing patches more than the comb at this point. Look down from above and if there are concentrations of white mid-wing, you have a male. I'm honestly suspicious of all of them. The others could well be EEs although the white one would be beardless. No obvious males there but again, it's early. Post again when they're feathered.

 

[ochochicas]

The two with dye on them seem to have redder and broader combs. Maybe it just looks that way in comparison with the color of the heads... Anyone else see that too?

I thought the ones with blue and green heads looked like cockerels (especially compared to the other chicks).

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Quote: I agree with debid. The black and white chicks are probably hatchery SLWyandottes, but have a lot more white compared to others I've seen, especially on the breast. Don't see any signs of cockerels in the EE types yet, but need another week or so to be sure. The white chick is a mystery. Are the legs slightly greenish? What type of comb does it have?

 

[Brookshire11]

have 2 EE that are basically black/white....but now they are adding a buff coloring to their feathers...pretty much all over. Another black/white added buff on her breast so I know that one is a she... but these two......I have no idea? Do roos add the buff markings? This picture does not show it.. was taken before they started turning.............. Never had EE's before....LOL....can you tell !?

She's cute! lol

Seems like the votes for pullet outnumber the votes for cockerel! I was thinking cockerel too, based on the coloring showing up on her shoulders, but if it she lays an egg I'll be one happy camper!

I'm leaning towards cockerel, but it's a throw up until you hear a crow or see an egg! Lol. My EE roo was crowing by 9 weeks.

Well, we put Pearl up last night and got a lot of help...thank you! So now it's Glady's turn for scrutiny. What do you think, cockerel or pullet at 10 weeks old...I'm thinking girl. (Who am I kidding? She's one of my two favorites - I'm hoping girl!)

The splotchy red made me 2nd guess but I'm guessing pullet as well on this one

The two with dye on them seem to have redder and broader combs. Maybe it just looks that way in comparison with the color of the heads... Anyone else see that too?

They do seem like their cobs are more developed, but it may be the breed difference...or the contrast between the green