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

[philbfarm]

Iris, in the picture above also had a very questionable tail...One long feather and tail seemed to curl down. I was also told she was most likely a roo at six weeks. I was still sweating it out until just recently. Because her "brother" was so different - triple pea comb, legs, stance, etc., I held out. I absolutely love these birds and had to get another (Araucana/Easter Egger). I just couldn't get another black and white, to much stress! - so I got the classic chipmunk/pullet. Tough birds to figure out -

 

[Lothiriel]

Quote: Right. Curving tail feathers aren't the same as pointed -- cockerels will have pointed saddle feathers. All 3 of my EE pullets have curved saddles, but if you look closely the ends are rounded.

Iris, in the picture above also had a very questionable tail...One long feather and tail seemed to curl down. I was also told she was most likely a roo at six weeks. I was still sweating it out until just recently. Because her "brother" was so different - triple pea comb, legs, stance, etc., I held out. I absolutely love these birds and had to get another (Araucana/Easter Egger). I just couldn't get another black and white, to much stress! - so I got the classic chipmunk/pullet. Tough birds to figure out -

That's so cool that you have one named Iris too! My b&w EE is Iris.

 

[DianePW72]

Can anyone weigh in on the bird on the left? The one on the right is definitely a roo ... he started crowing at around 9 weeks (when the photo was taken) and already had a very red and developed comb. Hoping the brown one with the pale comb is a girl! I've also included a close-up. Thanks for the help.

 

[Lothiriel]

I'm afraid it's most likely a boy.

See the dark red patches on the shoulders? It's in the same place as the definite cockerel and that's a very definitive sign of a cockerel. There isn't as much comb development yet, but sometimes they take a little longer.

 

[DianePW72]

I'm afraid it's most likely a boy.

See the dark red patches on the shoulders? It's in the same place as the definite cockerel and that's a very definitive sign of a cockerel. There isn't as much comb development yet, but sometimes they take a little longer.

Thanks for the input -- sigh -- I'll have to start preparing the kids to say goodbye ... No roosters allowed where we live.

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

I think it's a pullet! I agree though, it can be difficult to tell. It has red all over and the comb is not near developed as the def. roo. I would absolutely keep it until you hear it crow. Sorry about the one on the right though, he is pretty.

 

[Indigosands]

I have to agree, it looks more girl to me than boy. The red is the same intensity all over - the tail, the chest, everywhere. I think I see some gold/gray hackle feathers coming in as well which is a "girl" thing. The boys have much more striking color contrasts. I would wait for a crow also.

 

[meowmmy65]

The jury is still out - 11 weeks old. No crowing. No signs of spurs. No sign of long, pointy saddle feathers. All the tail feathers are rounded. Mixed parentage - Mom is an Easter Egger with a fantail. Dad is a purebred, Blue Copper Marans. Previous comments have been that Amelia is really a roo. I'm wondering if people still believe that, or if there are any other opinions. I'm really scratching my head and waiting to see.

She is not really as red as this picture shows. It's bad lighting.


Siblings. "Amelia" on the left. We have the same dad, different moms. Amelia has a muff. Rose does not.


Donna is the other sibling. She is a pure Blue Copper Marans. Amelia and Donna have similar combs, but Donna has the beginnings of a waddle, and Amelia has no waddle at all.

 

[meowmmy65]

DianePW72 - I think that's a girl, too.

 

[DMRippy]

The jury is still out - 11 weeks old. No crowing. No signs of spurs. No sign of long, pointy saddle feathers. All the tail feathers are rounded. Mixed parentage - Mom is an Easter Egger with a fantail. Dad is a purebred, Blue Copper Marans. Previous comments have been that Amelia is really a roo. I'm wondering if people still believe that, or if there are any other opinions. I'm really scratching my head and waiting to see.

She is not really as red as this picture shows. It's bad lighting.


Siblings. "Amelia" on the left. We have the same dad, different moms. Amelia has a muff. Rose does not.


Donna is the other sibling. She is a pure Blue Copper Marans. Amelia and Donna have similar combs, but Donna has the beginnings of a waddle, and Amelia has no waddle at all.

Amelia is a ROO and Donna is NOT a Blue Copper Marans.... she has yellow legs, Marans don't.... sorry. Neither reply you want to hear