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

[Wishing4Wings]

Hi all! I'd love to get some opinions on my 7 week old easter egger chicks. There are 7 there all together, sorry about the pictures, they are very camera shy and the only way I could get near them was to sprinkle oatmeal over the ground in front of me and they still wouldn't come close enough for really good pictures. There are 4 black and whites (I think the whitest one is a girl and one is an obvious roo with a big red comb already, the other two look really similar, one has darker grey muffs and the other's muffs are lighter, thinking boys), one all white (boy?), one all black (boy?) and one grey patterned (pretty sure it's a girl). Last year I hatched out 7, 6 were boys and I was totally in denial on 4 of them until I posted on byc! Found good home for them last year, but this year I'm making an appointment for "processing", so I'd like to give her a number. Thanks!


(The one behind the black on is one that I think is a girl)


The all white one, doing a nice rooster stance for the photo!

It's really hard to tell without being able to see the combs up close. I think you have mostly boys. Again.

First pic above, the one you think is a pullet, behind the black, could be female, but the large patch of white on the wing is often a cockerel trait. Wish I could see it up close.

Second pic, the only one I feel confident calling a pullet is the light grey at the back.

"light grey muffs" could be a pullet also.

Can you let the processor know next week? I'd hate to give away a pullet.

 

[junebuggena]

The black one's comb is a bit big, but it's not a pea comb. It looks more like a combination of a pea comb and a single comb.
It's a wait and see for that one.

The one on the left, the white one in the middle, and the one on the right all look like they might be cockerels. The grey one in the very back is for sure a pullet.

 

[sharol]

Quote:
I'd have edited this, but the editor is acting up. I had a white hen that looked much like your white bird at that age. Tall on her legs with an upright tail. I was pretty sure she was a cockerel, but she laid lovely bluegreen eggs for 5 years for me. Is there any reason besides the color and stance you are thinking it is a male?

 

[junebuggena]

Quote: They are 7 weeks old and are starting to get pink combs. At that age, a pink combs means it's a boy. If we were looking at 12 week old birds, then I would say they are all hens, but we aren't.

 

[clairabelle75]

The comb on the white one looks pretty red and a bit bigger than the grey one that really looks girly.... but I think I'm mostly just being cautious as I was super disappointed last year when all my BO's were boys and I only got to keep one light sussex (who raised these guys). I won't process anyone until about 18 weeks (unless they start crowing, then they have to go! Last year that happened and I kept seeing the bylaw guy drive slowly up my street and down the back alley, the roo's were gone asap!), so I'm sure i'll know if they're girls or boys by then (and if in any doubt, someone here will!)... I think I'll wait a couple of weeks before booking the processing, though, but it's just to give her a number... I'm still thinking 5, but would love it if the white one is a hen, s/he is beautiful In the meantime, i'll take out some treats and try to get some better photos

 

[clairabelle75]

I lurked around outside for 45mins in 90 degree heat and got a few more. The chickens mostly wanted to hang out in the shade, maybe i'll have more luck this evening when it's not so hot!
Black guys comb from the top.


Dark grey muffs up close from the front (he got pretty friendly over the oats)

And same guys comb:



This is as good as I could get of the white one, not co-operative at all!



Dark grey muffs with the one I think is a girl, except someone said s/he has white patches on the wings, so maybe not?



Knowing my luck I'll end up with one hen again, lol! At least we'll have meat for the freezer!

 

[jedara]

I adopted a cute little EE "pullet" a few weeks ago at the age of 5 weeks. Now that some time has passed, I'm pretty sure my pullet Pippa is really a Phillip, based on the patchy red spots on the wings, and the brightness of his comb. Can I get some expert opinion? My husband is refusing to face the sad reality.

 

[junebuggena]

I adopted a cute little EE "pullet" a few weeks ago at the age of 5 weeks. Now that some time has passed, I'm pretty sure my pullet Pippa is really a Phillip, based on the patchy red spots on the wings, and the brightness of his comb. Can I get some expert opinion? My husband is refusing to face the sad reality.

"Pippa" is without a doubt a cockerel.

 

[katatonic123]

DJ 15 weeks

Mr. E almost 12 weeks (Betty and Johann are in the background. Our littlest peep is just barely sticking her head in the pic on the right. S/he'll be 4 weeks tomorrow. Tiger's fluffy butt is in the background.)

PJ 15 weeks

Just thought I'd share a few pics I got today. I'm just loving Mr. E's coloring. It's so spectacular when the sun hits it just right.

 

[HettWolfeFlock]

Here's a pic of my 17 week old EE, Wilma.

I'm hoping she's a pullet, she's my favorite of the big girls!