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

[Wishing4Wings]

Look at those blue eyes

They are pretty, but like baby blue eyes in children, they can, and most likely will change as they grow. Youngsters haven't had time to produce large amounts of pigments, so the eyes appear blue. The blue eventually gets covered over by stronger colors as more pigments are produced.

 

[Mablethechicken]

EEs are crazy! I mean how many colors can be on one bird?!?! It’s no wonder sexing is so difficult.

 

[bruceha2000]

EEs are crazy! I mean how many colors can be on one bird?!?!

Yep! And that is something that makes them interesting.

 

[Mablethechicken]

The red and patchy look in the last pic makes me think male. Pointed hackles and saddle feathers usually show up closer to 12 weeks, so you can't depend on blunt feathers at this stage as an indication.
Would love to see how it looks in another week.

6 week update pictures! Not much change since last week on the comb. Still about the same size and pinky peach with yellow still on the tips. Looks a little more red in the pictures than it is in person. But a lot of new feathering.

 

[Mablethechicken]

And here’s some new pictures of the one you already confirmed is a roo. His comb and waddles are so much redder than the other one and the waddles are so much bigger and already dangle. I’m keeping him separate but adjacent to the others because I picked up a silkie that’s the same age as mine but of course a lot smaller

(due to the fact that I’ll probably have to give away more than 1 now) and he’s the only one that picks on her.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

6 week update pictures! Not much change since last week on the comb. Still about the same size and pinky peach with yellow still on the tips. Looks a little more red in the pictures than it is in person. But a lot of new feathering. View attachment 2185019View attachment 2185023View attachment 2185024View attachment 2185025View attachment 2185026View attachment 2185027View attachment 2185029View attachment 2185034

I have an Australorp that had a comb like that and even bigger wattles around the same age... named it Spike. Right now, Spike is in her special spot in the garage behind the furnace, laying her egg!
I always say they are all pullets until they show definite signs of being a cockerel. Same with a human fetus... look like girls until the testosterone kicks in and boys start getting boy parts.
The thing to watch on your chick is the breast color. If the solid black area continues to get larger, that's a boy sign... along with bright red comb and crowing!

I'm still thinking it's a cockerel. See you next week?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

And here’s some new pictures of the one you already confirmed is a roo. His comb and waddles are so much redder than the other one and the waddles are so much bigger and already dangle. I’m keeping him separate but adjacent to the others because I picked up a silkie that’s the same age as mine but of course a lot smaller View attachment 2185068View attachment 2185069View attachment 2185070View attachment 2185072View attachment 2185074View attachment 2185075(due to the fact that I’ll probably have to give away more than 1 now) and he’s the only one that picks on her.

Wyandotte cross maybe.
Again, chickens are similar to humans in that individuals vary in how fast they mature and some adolescent males really struggle getting used to the testosterone and can go through a "jerk" stage. The way he acts now is not necessarily the rooster he will become. And a more docile cockerel might develop into a jerk if the the more mature/dominant cockerel is removed.
Smart to put this guy separate but near. They need the social interaction.

Spike just thumped the furnace getting up... got to go get her egg!

 

[Mablethechicken]

Wyandotte cross maybe.
Again, chickens are similar to humans in that individuals vary in how fast they mature and some adolescent males really struggle getting used to the testosterone and can go through a "jerk" stage. The way he acts now is not necessarily the rooster he will become. And a more docile cockerel might develop into a jerk if the the more mature/dominant cockerel is removed.
Smart to put this guy separate but near. They need the social interaction.

Spike just thumped the furnace getting up... got to go get her egg!

Haha! Thank you! Always so insightful and full of chicken wisdom. See you next week!

 

[MochaChickMama]

We officially have daily crowing so now at 11 weeks it’s abundantly clear that Cookie is a mister. Coco has not changed much at all, so I’m sticking with pullet for her. Thanks again everyone who is so helpful in this thread!

 

[bruceha2000]

I'd say you are right, one pullet, one cockerel