hens or roosters? please help

[4eggsonly]

I bought 6 baby chicks from a feed store around the 3rd week in May. The lady didn't know what sex they were or what breed. She said she bought already fertilized eggs and wasn't sure of the breed, but knew they were mixed breed. They are also different ages, so size isn't helping me figure out their sex. They are now around 3 months old, give or take a week or two. I sit out there everyday observing them to see if I can figure it out by comparing their saddle feather tips, combs, wattles, behavior, spurs or no spurs. I still can't figure it out. Are they still too young to tell? When do their spurs grow if they are roosters? At what age will I know for sure? Please help me with some more advise if you can. I can even upload some pictures if needed.

 

[sourland]

3 months old is generally old enough to get a fairly reliable idea as to gender. In order to help, we will need pictures.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Ok, I am no expert but will tell you what I know. We had our first hatch in April so our babies are 11 weeks old now. One breed of our breeds featherd out different colors based on gender (Salmon Favorelles). They were easy to pick out by color at 3 weeks old. Another breed ( Mottled Houdans) have crests and their crest feathers are different shapes based on gender. The Favorelles, Houdans, and Araucana boys all have more pronounced combs and wattles than the girls at 11 weeks. The only one I am having problems with is our lone silkie. No idea if it is a boy or girl and when I post on the breed thread I get mixed answers on it as well.

As I said, I am no expert but if you post pics I will try to guess.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Oh yeah, I have some of the boys trying to crow already,so that is a dead give away too.

 

[4eggsonly]

ok...I finally got the pictures to upload.....there are 6 total.........

#1 I believe this one is a hen.......almost no comb and no spurs so far.


#2 This is the largest of all 6. I think it is a hen because it has a small light red comb, no spurs so far, and is making chicken sounds. A couple of things make me think rooster like the size and also how large the feet are. It is also the most dominent one. It is the friendliest of them all. Its my favorite so I really hope its a hen.

#3 I think this one is a hen because it has a small tan comb and no spurs so far.

#4 and #5 These two are almost always together. They are both skittish. Since this picture was taken they have changed their looks somewhat. One of them has more of a hen look to it while the other one has a red comb and red wattles.

#6 Okay, now this one is one that is a little iffy to me. It has a light reddish comb and small wattles. No spurs as of yet. I know that both hens and roosters can have a comb and wattles.

I tried to also look at the tail feathers, but they all seemed to have different looking tail feathers. If anyone can give some of their expert opinions or even guesses I would appreciate it. Thanks

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Well, they are a cute little bunch. I don't think they are any of the breeds that I have and possibly are mix breeds, so it should be fun for you to see how they grow out. Based on my chicks, all of yours look like girls if they are three months+ old. The one exception might be the one of the "twins" you said has developed a redder comb and wattles. All of my boys have larger combs and/or redder than the girls. You may be very lucky with your groop. Maybe someone with more experience can confirm for you. Best of luck.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Just for comparrison here are pics of two of my Salmon Favorelles at 10+ weeks. The girl is tan, the boy is dark. See the difference in their combs. Different breeds do develop differently however. I still don't know what my silkie is and it may be a while before I do.

 

[leadwolf1]

At that age, they all look like girls to me Congratulations!

 

[TXchickmum]

My little cockerels began crowing at 11/12 weeks. -and developed red combs much more quickly; one, wattles appeared at about 7/8 weeks. He and another were a "twin duo" until the comb/wattles developed. I agree with the previous poster that one of the "twins" is perhaps a roo due to the change in appearance (if they are the same breed/mix).

 

[AwallRooster]

the two reds look like red stars, they are heavy eggers,
the single yellow looks like a golden buff,also good egger.
the other three look like a cross between golden buff,and a white legger.
now as far as the sex of them goes, i cant tell, but my grampa would hold them up by their legs(this will not hurt them )an feel around the bottom brest area,he would gently rub cross ways, an if he felt a little lump he said it was a roo,the thing about it tho, he was only right maybe 75%of the guessing,
hope this helps you. good luck!!