I guess this is a cockerel! Thoughts?

[ginznchix]

I've had my doubts about this silver laced wyandotte "pullet" from just a few weeks old because she/he got red in the face very early. Now at 13-14 weeks this really looks like a cockerel doesn't it? Big legs, suddenly getting bigger than everybody else, getting some longer feathers in. Darn I don't need another rooster! What do you think? Thanks!

 

[Trish1974]

I would say cockerel.

 

[DobieLover]

Yes. He's a cockerel.

 

[Gray Farms]

Cockerel, no doubt about it. White wing bars are a male specific trait.

 

[BreanneRN]

Yes, it's a he... See the pointy hackle feathers and saddle feathers growing in. Soon all doubt will be removed when he crows...

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

This is classic male version of laced pattern....yea, he's all cockerel

 

[sourland]

Your suspicions are correct.

 

[MelissaRose]

I think cockerel too...

 

[BreanneRN]

Off the topic (sorry), but I wonder what effect sexing birds at hatching in order to sell pullets is having on roosters exactly... When ones that are incorrectly sexed (because there anatomy may be more ambiguous) survive and are sold, but ones that are correctly sexed most likely die, aren't we actually artificially selecting for males with ambiguous anatomy? Unless, of course, the hatchery just throws them in there anyway, on purpose...

 

[ginznchix]

Off the topic (sorry), but I wonder what effect sexing birds at hatching in order to sell pullets is having on roosters exactly... When ones that are incorrectly sexed (because there anatomy may be more ambiguous) survive and are sold, but ones that are correctly sexed most likely die, aren't we actually artificially selecting for males with ambiguous anatomy? Unless, of course, the hatchery just throws them in there anyway, on purpose...

Good point, you're right. When I get "packing peanuts" I figure they're giving away chicks they know are male, but in cases like this, this chick probably looked female. I'm not going to use him for breeding, but I'm sure others do.