Gender ID of 9 week EE?

[twinmama]

I have 2 new EEs this year that hatched at the beginning of May. 1 is definitely a pullet, but I'm not sure on this 1. They both have the same size and color comb, but this 1 has more clearly defined rows and a more male feather pattern I think. The feathers around the neck have pointed coloring, but the feathers are actually rounded. He? is about 9 weeks old now. Any thoughts? I'm thinking cockerel, which means I can't keep him, but I want to be sure. I tried nearly 20 minutes, but these were the clearest pics I could get. Thanks!

Comb and front coloring...


On the left...

 

[popsicle]

I think it looks like a cockerel--because of the dark red on the wings and the size/shape of the comb.

 

[Nrod7TX]

I am not an expert, but have had quite a few EE's in the past. I would say that it could very well be a pullet, especially since you mentioned the body size and combs are identical. BUT to be sure I would wait a few more weeks if you can. Then you would have a better chance of knowing. The "for sure" pullet in your picture looks exactly like one I had in the past. Never had a reddish one, but he/she? looks very cool!

 

[twinmama]

Thanks both of you for your responses. I'm spending a lot of time staring at this little chicken and following him around the yard. I've read several threads on what to look for, but I still can't decide. I can't keep a rooster, so I try to figure it out as early as possible before they start crowing. Looks like I'll still have this little one around for a few more weeks at least.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Cockerel. That is a male color pattern.

 

[twinmama]

Thanks. That's what I figured too. I'm only having 50/50 luck getting an EE hen the past couple of years, so this is what I expected.

 

[SmittenChicken]

Hmmm, I don't know about this one but I'm leaning towards cockerel.

I have 4 EE/Speckled Sussex crosses that look a lot like yours, from what I can see that coloring looks a lot like my pullets (the cockerels both have black chests, the pullets both have red.) Does yours have black feathers on the chest? I just put up a chick sexing post on my blog with photos of mine that might be useful for comparison, link in my signature.

 

[NickyPick]

I was thinking cockerel because of the color pattern, but that tail says pullet to me. I've got two cockerels right now with a similar color pattern and at 12 weeks of age, they've already started getting a curved tail - and it's quite a bit shorter than the pullet's tails.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Cockerel. That is a male color pattern.

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