How to tell if an Ameraucana is a girl or boy? They look alike!

[huckleberryfarm]

Hi, I have 5 Ameraucanas, age 15 wks... three blue and two black. I have three Marans the same age and it's obvious that I have two boys and a girl with them. The Ameraucanas don't look that much different from each other. They have little combs (although a few are a teensy bit bigger) and no wattles. What should I be looking for at this point? I'm sure they're old enough to tell! I was watching them today trying to figure it out and it's a mystery! I'm assuming their combs stay fairly small? Thanks!

 

[Illia]

Wow 15 weeks? By now it should be harder to tell, honestly, but around 5-7 weeks you should have seen some small, pale combs versus some larger, bright pink or red combs. Now the pullets will look more like cockerels, but also the cockerels should have some sickle feathers trying to grow in. You got picks? I know even my blues and blacks right now are confusing to my family except me, and they're about 10 weeks.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

Thanks! My first chicks were silkies and everyone said you can't tell early. Guess I carried that advice to the other breeds! Oh, well! I can take some pics tomorrow. What are sickle feathers? I did notice that one chicken has different type wing feathers. More away from the body. Guess I'm waiting for a crow!

 

[wordgirl]

On a rooster, the 'hackle' and 'saddle' feathers, are pointier feathers on the back and on the neck. In this photo, this rooster's hackle and saddle feathers are the straw-colored ones - the ones that hang down. Not all saddle and hackle feathers are straw-colored, and not all so long.

http://www.cacklehatchery.com/goldenduckwingphonexroo.jpg

I've noticed that, at least on our roo, those feathers tend to be sort of shinier, too.

 

[Illia]

Yeah they should start to crow soon. . .

Sickle feathers are the pair of long "hook" feathers in a cockerel/rooster.

Here's some pics of my girls vs. boys, but it won't help too well. One thing you should look out for in blue boys are darker neck and head feathers, and in black boys you should notice their tail feathers and wing feathers as well as neck feathers will be VERY iridescent and give off a green, purple, or blue sheen.

Some good things to look for - The males will have a "hooded glare" look to their eyes, and have longer tails. The females will have more even backs and tailsets, with a "smile" look to their face.

Black cockerel:

Blue cockerel, about a week ago:

These are three blue pullets and another blue pullet. Note the short, even looking tail and the very full muffs.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

Thanks, y'all! That helps a lot. I guess none of them have big combs. Your blue pullets look a lot like mine. We don't live at the farm full-time yet until we build but I go out every day to take care of all the animals. I'll make notes and go check them out in the morning. Even though they don't like me (thank goodness for my silkies and cochins!), they are beautiful! And soft. I'm hoping for at least three pullets out of the five.

Thanks again for the pics and help!