Mature plumage - when?

[kenh2010]

My new chicks are now 10 weeks old and are molting. When do they obtain their mature feathers so that I can determine if any are roosters or not? Thanks.

 

[ginormous chicken]

Soon, in the next 2-3 weeks.

What kind of birds do you have, can you tell from stance, and combs?

 

[kenh2010]

Thanks Ginormous. This is the first time we have ever had chickens and we are loving every minute of it. Our town has outlawed them for years and we had a successful presentation with City Hall and managed to change the ordinance. It's been a great experience. Anyhow, being new to all of this, we purchased 2 Brown Bovans, which are pullets for sure and 4 SL Wyandottes, which are the ones I've been wondering about. The hatchery says their success rate is about 90%. Three of them are larger than one and have more pronounced red and wattles, while the 4th one doesn't. I would imagine it might be that they are from different lines or something too. I go out in the morning and crow for them - I'll probably get turned in to Animal Control for that and they don't seem to be too interested in responding (the birds, not AC) and I must admit I'm getting pretty good at it - the secret is to crow while you're inhaling I've learned.

Anyhow, they all act the same stance wise. They all race around and charge at each other - even the Bovans - jostling for pecking order I would imagine. Plumage is coming in all about the same, one has a little longer feathers above the tail area, but they are not long and flowing and pointed as in rooster saddle type feathers. Maybe I'm worried too much about it as we aren't allowed to have roosters, so I should probably just relax and hope they sexed them correctly. You mentioned that in a few weeks I'll be able to tell by their plumage? They are losing a lot of their feathers right now and they are ten weeks old. Thanks for any input - I've really appreciated all I've learned from this forum. Ken