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

[ICB42]

Yes, he looks like a rooster to me too with that red comb, and those thick legs. He will be a very handsome boy when he grows up.

So here's my question that's 3 roosters that I have... Will there be a problem if I keep them all together since they've been together for a while? Or would I need to get rid of them? I've never had this problem before lol

 

[junebuggena]

So here's my question that's 3 roosters that I have... Will there be a problem if I keep them all together since they've been together for a while? Or would I need to get rid of them? I've never had this problem before lol

The primary issue with three young cockerels isn't them fighting each other, but that you will have three 'teenage' boys in your flock. Their hormones will start to take control of them. They will try to constantly breed any female they can catch. Your girls may end up living with the constant stress of dodging those boys. Too much stress will affect egg production.

 

[ICB42]

The primary issue with three young cockerels isn't them fighting each other, but that you will have three 'teenage' boys in your flock. Their hormones will start to take control of them. They will try to constantly breed any female they can catch. Your girls may end up living with the constant stress of dodging those boys. Too much stress will affect egg production.

Thanks! So if I were to keep them, how many hens would I need to have? Or what is the best way to find them new homes? I'm not sure what I would do...

 

[junebuggena]

Thanks! So if I were to keep them, how many hens would I need to have? Or what is the best way to find them new homes? I'm not sure what I would do...

8 to 10 girls per cockerel. Or you can keep them together in their own coop/run, out of sight of any females. If neither situation is possible, then you need to rehome them. You can see if you can find a local buy/sell/trade facebook page, list them on craigslist, or ask your feed store if you can put up a flyer.

 

[MedSchlFarmers]

I have 4 Easter Eggers that are 4 weeks old. 3 of the 4 have pink/red in their combs already. Does this always mean cockerel?

 

[junebuggena]

I have 4 Easter Eggers that are 4 weeks old. 3 of the 4 have pink/red in their combs already. Does this always mean cockerel?

At that age it's only cockerels that will start to turn pink. Pullets do not start to turn pink in the combs until they are getting close to laying age.

 

[bruceha2000]

I have 4 Easter Eggers that are 4 weeks old. 3 of the 4 have pink/red in their combs already. Does this always mean cockerel?

Um, HOW pink or red? I would think the answer at 4 weeks would be "sure hope you wanted some cockerels.".

Pictures?

Here is what mine looked like at about that age, all girls:

 

[mymilliefleur]

I have 4 Easter Eggers that are 4 weeks old. 3 of the 4 have pink/red in their combs already. Does this always mean cockerel?

Yes, your birds are most likely cockerels. Pullets combs do not start to redden into they are almost laying age (16+ weeks). Can you post some pictures of your birds?

 

[junebuggena]

Um, HOW pink or red? I would think the answer at 4 weeks would be "sure hope you wanted some cockerels.".

Pictures?

Here is what mine looked like at about that age, all girls:

The only chick that even has a hint of pink is the middle pic. The others are still yellow.

 

[bruceha2000]

The only chick that even has a hint of pink is the middle pic. The others are still yellow.

Yet it was the one on the right that gave me concern as they got older, it went slightly pinker than the other two. But Meyer exceeded their promise of 90% accuracy, as did Ideal in 2012.

The one on the left waited until 30 weeks, 5 days to lay. The one in the middle "only" 23 and 2 (she was the first with a White Rock starting the next day), the one on the right started at 26 and 1.