"Male specific" coloring in EE/OE?

[Shugercube]

Talk to me about the whole "male specific coloring" thing... I ordered 7 pullets, they sent 8, and I think 3 of them might be cockerels. One is an EE that just has a huge comb already- it's pale, but just so BIG for only being 4 weeks old.

Not my main question, but since I'm here anyway- here's a comb pic of Winter, the EE

The other two I'm worried have the "male specific" rust leakage I keep hearing about. I don't really understand the difference between "male" leakage and just the bird having red on it. Is this the "male" coloring?

Their combs are also a bit pink for my comfort, but would like to hear others' opinions. I'm not sure if/what the hatchery will do if it does turn out I have 3 cockerels, or how long I have before I even need to notify them of the incorrect sex of my birds.

Pics of the two "rusty" ones, would like opinions please! They are 4 weeks old.

Bird 1, Olive the OE

Bird 2, Chirp the EE

 

[Tookie]

The "male specific coloring" is pretty much just splotchy, uneven coloring. The rust color will come out in splotches, and isn't evened out. For pullets, they usually have evened out coloring compared to cockerels. Hope that makes sense!

Both the OE and the EE are cockerels.

 

[SchwartzLakeFarmNC]

I agree with Tookie on this one, very well stated.
I've notice with all of our EE's, every Pullet has a "uniformed" pattern, for example "plaid" feathering, or things like that of course there are so many varieties and color patterns, but anything "splotchy" is code for Cockerel in my honest opinion.

 

[Shugercube]

The "male specific coloring" is pretty much just splotchy, uneven coloring. The rust color will come out in splotches, and isn't evened out. For pullets, they usually have evened out coloring compared to cockerels. Hope that makes sense!

Both the OE and the EE are cockerels.

I agree with Tookie on this one, very well stated.
I've notice with all of our EE's, every Pullet has a "uniformed" pattern, for example "plaid" feathering, or things like that of course there are so many varieties and color patterns, but anything "splotchy" is code for Cockerel in my honest opinion.

Thank you both!
This one, too?? Also an EE

 

[Tookie]

Thank you both!
This one, too?? Also an EE
View attachment 3584408

That actually looks like a pullet.
Her red coloring isn't really splotchy, it's more evened out.

 

[fluffycrow]

Thank you both!
This one, too?? Also an EE
View attachment 3584408

Hm. I'd be more reserved. The red on the wings is a little darker than on the rest of the body. I'd wait a little more

 

[CoopBoots]

I agree with Tookie on this one, very well stated.
I've notice with all of our EE's, every Pullet has a "uniformed" pattern, for example "plaid" feathering, or things like that of course there are so many varieties and color patterns, but anything "splotchy" is code for Cockerel in my honest opinion.

This was a revelation to me when I read it. Recently raised a batch of crossbreds and this held true. Solid colored birds went both ways but the splotchy/very color mixed were alllllll boys. I just never noticed!!!