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

[clucking cuties]

I am hoping for some pretty eggs by the end of August.

At least I won't be expecting any from Karl

.

 

[Jenikate]

New pics of my EE's at 6 weeks old.....any ideas? Some days I think they are all pullets, some days all roo's...all so different I cant compare to eachother! Little to no pinking up on the combs still.....pics are a bit washed out but you should be able to get and idea....

BUTTERS The scraggliest of the bunch...very slow to feather out, little to no tail!





CHIPPY




TAZ Quite a long tail on this one....



And Finally, CHEEKS...so beautiful...I just love the black head....and the cheeks!






So what do you think? Pullets ? Roos? Too soon to tell?....I can take it...

 

[clucking cuties]

Cheeks looks a lot like my Jessica, so I would say girl. Very pretty birds

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Jenikate, I don't see any roos based on the combs. There is a way to tell by color, but I'm not so good at that. Butters and Taz have that splotchy red pattern that can sometimes disguise the dark red you look for on the wings of males. My guess is that you have 4 very pretty pullets.

 

[clucking cuties]

In skipping around BYC, I found this great thread.

This is about the South American heritage of our little Easter Eggers, and we have much to be thankful for and prize our lovely birds.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/402512/quechua-tojuda-ameraucana-easter-eggers-in-vino-veritas


There are many pictures with striking resemblance to some of our birds. I especially like the momma with the clutch of blue eggs in the grass.

They were originally high altitude birds, and since I am at 6200 ft, I think that they might do well here.

I know that some might sniff, "They are not Ameraucanas, only mutts", but I hatched some "show stock" Silver Ameraucana eggs and out of the 7 that went into lock down, one died while pipping, two are completely healthy and 4 died apparently of congenital loco several days later.

http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/x.../1957/14654/StationBulletin253.pdf?sequence=1


This is a recessive disorder seen in some highly concentrated lines in which the chicks resemble star-gazing chicks but do not respond to thiamine (vitamin B1). I know that the chicks were not thiamine deficient because not only did I give thiamine to all of them orally, but in total desperation also gavethem all sterile human injectable thiamine sub-q (along with vitamins, sugar and electrolytes). I know it wasn't an incubator issue, because the three black orpington chicks in the same incubator hatched out just fine and are all very healthy. The two surviving chicks look beautiful and are vigorous, but needless to say, I will never use them for breeding due to the possible recessive gene. I emailed the breeder, but probably will not hear back, or the issues will be blamed on something else, but I am really personally pretty sure about this.

I still love the Ameraucanas and am continuing to pursue hatching more and adding them to my flock, but I think there is something to be said for the genetic diversity of the humble and totally charming EE. I don't mean to offend anyone by discussing possible genetic issues, but if we are to be honest about our birds, we need to make constant assessments for theses issues as a possibility before we breed.

Hugs to all.

 

[aoxa]

New pics of my EE's at 6 weeks old.....any ideas?  Some days I think they are all pullets, some days all roo's...all so different I cant compare to eachother! Little to no pinking up on the combs still.....pics are a bit washed out but you should be able to get and idea....

BUTTERS The scraggliest of the bunch...very slow to feather out, little to no tail!





CHIPPY




TAZ  Quite a long tail on this one....



And Finally, CHEEKS...so beautiful...I just love the black head....and the cheeks!






So what do you think?  Pullets ? Roos?  Too soon to tell?....I can take it...

All I see are pullets right now. They are all so beautiful too! All very different.

 

[Jenikate]

All I see are pullets right now. They are all so beautiful too!

All very different.

I hope so Im amazed at how different they all are!

 

[Jenikate]

Jenikate, I don't see any roos based on the combs. There is a way to tell by color, but I'm not so good at that. Butters and Taz have that splotchy red pattern that can sometimes disguise the dark red you look for on the wings of males. My guess is that you have 4 very pretty pullets.

I know! I keep looking for the tell tale feather signs but dont see any yet...Ironically, Taz and Butters have the smallest and palest combs of them all !!!???!!!

 

[Lothiriel]

Karla or Karl?

I have pictures, but I am leaning towards Karl. I am also going to post pics of my other EEs as they are pretty colorful and now I am worried that not all of them are pullets. They are all the same age, and around 9, maybe 10 weeks old.

One of the reasons that I thought Karl was Karla is that this bird is so mellow. This bird will basically drape itself over my arm when carrying it, as it is doing in the "top view" image. Even if it is Karl, I am keeping him. (Now Jackie/Jack is the real trouble maker.)

Pea comb:

Pea comb:


Red feathers:

Tail:

Top view:

Side view:

Thanks all for the opinions. I am going to submit pics of the other birds for "gender analysis"

Definitely Karl.

Jackie/Jack?

I swear I am not choking that bird, I swear.

My DH thinks this one must be male because of all the attitude it has.

This one may end up in the freezer if male....even though it is a really pretty bird.

Jackie. Attitudes can be confusing!

Fiona?

Frankie?

Fiona for sure!

Rita

or Ritchie?

Lovely Rita.

Any opinions one the chicks pictured below will be much appreciated.

The one is back is certainly a cockerel not only by color and comb but he's trying to crow. Pitifully but a crow non the less. But the chick in front, please tell me it's a she. The egg was from a Speckled Sussex hen with an EE roo.




This chick is about 8 weeks old. The comb is smaller and lighter than the two crowing hatch mates. The legs seem quite chunky and so far there is no color coming through on the wings or shoulders. Is this a male or female black and white pattern? From an EE hen and roo.



This chick turned away just as I snapped the picture. It has almost no comb showing and what's there has no pink. The face is very "pretty"
It came from a Leghorn egg by an EE Roo.

In the first picture, the one in front is a pullet. Second picture, I'm thinking cockerel most likely. That pattern I've only seen on males. Last picture is probably a pullet as well.

Gina

or Gerald? (used son's new camera, date not yet correctly set) (DH assisting)

Opinion reserved since you said the first picture is Karl. I'll wait for one of this particular bird before passing judgement.

And last but not least Jessica

or Justin. (My favorite as she reminds me of a hawk) Jessica has a lot of grey blue also, sorry about the pic quality,but she was not the least bit cooperative.

Some pretty birds

others are posting. I would guess gender, but I don't yet feel qualifed to do so yet

.





Thanks for all of the help

Jessica.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Thanks Clucking Cuties for posting this thread! I am loving reading it!!!

In skipping around BYC, I found this great thread.

This is about the South American heritage of our little Easter Eggers, and we have much to be thankful for and prize our lovely birds.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/402512/quechua-tojuda-ameraucana-easter-eggers-in-vino-veritas