Hen Or Roo?

[Racbino]

Hi all. The age old question: another hen or roo? These chicks are about 5 weeks old. I know it’s a bit early but curiosity’s got the best of me. I’ve got a speckled sussex (posted two pics of her, she can’t sit still), a buff orpington, and a silver laced wyandotte. Any early indicators that would lead you to believe any of these are roosters? I’m wondering if the SLW is a roo, mainly because her comb and wattles are more red and she’s got some thick legs, but I’ve read that Wyandottes can be trickier to sex. Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[RIR chicks]

I can’t tell but, I’m going to post a thread hen or roo of a chick that is about a week old

 

[The Happster]

So far, all pullets.

 

[rumbleBee_STi]

Silver laced wyandottes tend to be fairly red early on in life for some reason, pullets & cockerels both. I have 2 SLW pullets & they stayed quite red from the time they were just chicks.

 

[BGcoop]

I would watch the SLW very closely. you are right that it has quite a bit of red and wattles to be showing this early. The others are a bit young to tell for sure.

 

[Left Spur]

Actually it is easier if you spot it at the first few days of hatch, since female tend to grow their feather faster than males, males had a shorter rounder feather, usually messier than females.

 

[Racbino]

Silver laced wyandottes tend to be fairly red early on in life for some reason, pullets & cockerels both. I have 2 SLW pullets & they stayed quite red from the time they were just chicks.

She was definitely the first to turn red! Glad to hear you’ve noticed this happening with pullets too.

 

[Left Spur]

My bet is, male, female, male, female,
Just a bet tho.

 

[JedJackson]

Too early for certainty right now. They all look like pullets so far.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I agree, they all look girly. The wyandotte will keep you guessing until about 12-14 weeks of age. Others you should know about 6-8 weeks if age. Nice birds!