Leghorn chick--pullet or cockerel?

[madornato]

Hi. I have 4 leghorn chicks that are around 5 weeks old that are supposed to be pullets/hens. One, however, has a much bigger, brighter red comb than the other 3. The combs of the other 3 are much smaller and light pink. Do you think that I have a rooster in the bunch, or do you think that the one's comb is just developing a lot faster than the other 3? I'm sure I'll find out soon enough, but I was hoping someone out there might be able to tell me a little earlier.

Thanks,
Melissa

 

[Bantimna]

Hi Melissa, Please will you post some pictures please. Then we might be able to tell better.

 

[easttxchick]

Pics would be helpful, but I will tell you in my experience, my little WLH roo's comb developed very early and boy was it RED!

 

[Goose and Fig]

yeah- sounds like a roo. 5 weeks is way early for a pullet to get a red comb.

 

[HBuehler]

5 weeks roos are obvious in leghorns..I can start finding them in my bunch by 2 weeks..if it's comb is big and red with wattles starting well it will be saying Cock A Doodle Doo soon-my leghorn boys are crowing around 8 weeks. It is very hard to sex these accurately as day olds so having a little roo in a bunch of pullets is not that uncommon-we had 2 out of 5 this spring in an all pullet order.

 

[madornato]

The comb is big and red on this particular chick but there are no wattles yet. I don't know what that means. I'll try to post a picture later if I can. Thanks.

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Quote:
99.99% chance that it is a roo. It's that obvious with leghorns.

 

[tiki244]

At 8 weeks the roos will start becoming a new color and the hens will stay the same color. So then you will know for sure.