EE a Roo or Hen?

[chics in the sun]

Yes, I see them now. Unfortunately I really can't give you an answer. I don't have enough experience, and 8 weeks is still pretty young, but maybe someone who is more experienced can tell. Do you have a better picture of the comb?

 

[The Egg Bandit]

Have you tried the "flip test" yet? I think it has another name, but I am drawing a blank right now. Basically, you hold the young bird upside down, on its back in your hand. Once stabilized, the posistion of its legs indicates its sex. A male will tuck his legs up tight, where a female will extend one or both legs. It's basically a personality test. I (being a newbie) have only hatched out 157 chicks, but using this test I have been approximately 98 percent accurate. I take back any roos that I mistakenly identify as hens when sold. I have sold 112 chicks this year, and have swapped out only two that turned out to be roos when I identified them as pullets.

ETA: Your bird may be too old for the test, not sure when it becomes less effective. Maybe an "oldster" has some input on that.

 

[happyhound]

Our Easter Egger turned out to be a rooster too but we really like him as he is gorgeous and pretty friendly. We don't want to irritate our neighbors so we bring him and our Silkie roo into our garage at night. They each have their own pen and we put a blanket over the pen to further help with sound dampening. Of course we leave part of the pen uncovered so they have enough fresh air.

 

[Kenshan1]

Quote:
Wow Happyhound, that is a very pretty roo you have. I can't wait to move so we can be more comfortable having a roo around. Love the colors.

Shannon

 

[BrianT]

Quote:
I have found that there are many grifters in the world of chickens. It's really a shame.

 

[Ukyou]

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Well I tried your test, and Browny held one leg in and the other out and then switched legs so there is hope. On a side not, my kids are having a grand time holding all the chicks on their backs to see what they do. I am thinking they are all going to deserve some extra yogurt and another sunflower head.

 

[donrae]

Ukyou, I think your bird is a girl, mostly based on her color. As stated, the pullets are frequently the brown/partridge color (although can be other colors) and the males are flashy and splashy. Her color looks pretty female and she just looks girly to me.

 

[txcarl1258]

I agree with Donrae, I am 99.9% positive its a girl based on the color. Would be shocked if it turned out to be a boy.

 

[Ukyou]

Well that will make my son real happy. He is fine with eating roosters since we can't have them here, but he has a special thing for Browny. We discovered that since my son is almost always wearing orange, Browny will run and climb up on other people if they wear orange. Though it was funny to listen to him and my daughter plan to scare Browny if she did try to crow in the hopes of making her think they were the dominate rooster.

 

[chics in the sun]

Okay, Egg Bandit - I tried your flip test with "Jade", who was supposedly sexed at the hatchery. She/he puller her/ his legs in immediately. Jade's coloring looks girly to me, but the face is getting so red, and I'm just not sure yet. What do you guys think? She is around 16 weeks.