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

[Mablethechicken]

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?

Week 7 update pictures!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

It's very obvious when you see all the combs together.
2 pullets on the left, 2 cockerels on the right (assuming buff is also 7 wks?).
I reserve judgement on the Silkie. (because Silkies aren't really chickens! shhh, I didn't say that.)

Black one is a perfect example of a young pullet pea comb... single ridge down the center, very pale.
Bright pink of a 7 wk old cockerel is noticeable from a distance, like your pretty boy on the right. He's getting a black chest, which is a male trait for his coloring. He's going to be quite striking. Hope we can see him when he's mature.

 

[Mablethechicken]

It's very obvious when you see all the combs together.
2 pullets on the left, 2 cockerels on the right (assuming buff is also 7 wks?).
I reserve judgement on the Silkie. (because Silkies aren't really chickens! shhh, I didn't say that.)



Black one is a perfect example of a young pullet pea comb... single ridge down the center, very pale.
Bright pink of a 7 wk old cockerel is noticeable from a distance, like your pretty boy on the right. He's getting a black chest, which is a male trait for his coloring. He's going to be quite striking. Hope we can see him when he's mature.

Hahaha Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone! But hopefully it’s a pullet!

I’ll be sure to post pictures of him as he matures. He’s really got the best personality. Yes the buff is also 7 weeks. Is it at all possible to be able to have 2 roos with only 4 hens? I’m giving away the other darker EE rooster with the rose comb this week to a family friend with a big farm but I really want to keep the buff and this EE. I know things can change as they mature but this little flock get along great and after I separated out the darker EE there’s virtually no fighting. The Buff is definitely the alpha and this EE has accepted his position has the beta little brother. Could that dynamic possibly stay that way with such a small amount of hens in the flock?

 

[bruceha2000]

I think 2 roosters and 4 hens would lead to a LOT of overbreeding of the hens.

 

[Mablethechicken]

I think 2 roosters and 4 hens would lead to a LOT of overbreeding of the hens.

Yeah that’s the other thing I was reading that I was concerned about. Gonna have to do some more thinking on this one. But I have time since they’re still so young. I’ve had chickens for years but never had a rooster until now. Thanks for the input!

 

[TexasLisa]

Might be time to do chicken math. ADD ADD ADD

 

[Mablethechicken]

Might be time to do chicken math. ADD ADD ADD

Now to just figure out how to convince the husband....

 

[luckycluk]

Hello! I wanted to share a post regarding telltale signs you have an Easter Egger cockerel.

This was only my experience, and I hope it helps somebody identify whether they have girls or boys. Basically this is not a for sure guide, just hopefully a helpful post.

I was able to tell my cockerel at around 4-6 weeks old, and here are a few pictures to help.

(Sulo's tail feathers are narrow and upright.)

This is Munk an Easter Egger pullet to compare. Same age, but the feathering in is very different. Sulo's "big boy" feathers came in later then Munk's "big girl" feathers.

Sulo and Munk. (same breed/age just to see the difference)

Hope this helps someone! Easter Eggers are hard to sex, and this may not be every case, but it certainly was here and I hope these differences help people tell who is who

So on the bottom pic the

 

[luckycluk]

Hello! I wanted to share a post regarding telltale signs you have an Easter Egger cockerel.

This was only my experience, and I hope it helps somebody identify whether they have girls or boys. Basically this is not a for sure guide, just hopefully a helpful post.

I was able to tell my cockerel at around 4-6 weeks old, and here are a few pictures to help.

(Sulo's tail feathers are narrow and upright.)

This is Munk an Easter Egger pullet to compare. Same age, but the feathering in is very different. Sulo's "big boy" feathers came in later then Munk's "big girl" feathers.

Sulo and Munk. (same breed/age just to see the difference)

Hope this helps someone! Easter Eggers are hard to sex, and this may not be every case, but it certainly was here and I hope these differences help people tell who is who

Please be patient with me I’m a newbie at sexing Easter Eggers, I’ve never had any but I’m hoping to get some in a few days. The pics u posted were hard to see cuz they say photobucket but the bottom one I could see. Is the pulley on the right in the pic?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Please be patient with me I’m a newbie at sexing Easter Eggers, I’ve never had any but I’m hoping to get some in a few days. The pics u posted were hard to see cuz they say photobucket but the bottom one I could see. Is the pulley on the right in the pic?

I don't think the original poster has been on byc for years, but the thread lives on!

In the last pic, the pullet is on the right/bottom. She has no color in her thin pea comb and the pattern on her feathers is very even and consistent.
The cockerel has an obvious red comb that is thicker and bumpy. His feather pattern is disrupted by patches of color.

Not every EE will be the same color as these birds, but the clues to feather pattern tend to hold true, usually starting around 6 weeks. The shape and color of the comb is the first cockerel sign that shows up, as early as a couple weeks, and it usually becomes clear by 6-8 weeks.

If you are buying chicks under a week, it is very difficult to tell the sex. Look closely at the comb... chicks with combs that look lumpy tend to be males, although the lumpiness isn't always evident until 2-3 weeks or later. A pullet's comb looks like a single narrow ridge down the center of a wider flat area.

Have fun with your chicks!