My BEAUTIFUL buff brahmas have grown so fast but still can't tell the sex!

[MegW84]

My buff brahmas have grown so fast but still have no idea their sex. I have 4 of them and only one has a very long tail and the other 3 more of puff ball like tail feathers. The one with the long tail has feathered faster and has always been a bit heftier, maybe it is a lil older and the others may just catch up and get the same long tail feathers? OR perhaps this is my roo and i have 3 hens!? if its the other way around im in for a treat arent I? So here are some pics of my beauties, have a look an tell me what y'all think

this is the long tail feather

the 3 short tail

i notice this on has longer wing feathers, but still has short tail



READY SET GUESS!!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

It's hard to tell, but I'll guess. The only definite cockerel I see is the middle one in the second picture because he looks to have some pointy saddle feathers. I can't see their combs in those pictures which might help, plus I think it is right at that time when they are changing.

 

[MegW84]

I hear people saying check for saddle feathers but I dont know what they look like! But here are some face shots because I thought one had a really red face but then a couple days later they all turned red LOL, the combs are small so they all look the same to me but i am new so i have no clue.

This is the face of the one with the long black wing feathers, 3rd pic down above


this is the one with long tail feathers face, 1st pic above

 

[K Spot]

The first pic above ^^ looks a little roo-ish, but the others look like Pullets to me.

I could be wrong though. How old are they?

 

[MegW84]

Somewhere between 11-13 weeks.

 

[K Spot]

I would think by that age you would be seeing more obvious roo traits like larger, red comb and wattles.

I am by no means an expert though, and have never kept Brahmas before.

I'm having a hard time sexing a tailed Lavender Araucana at the moment, so I know how frustrating it can be.

 

[MegW84]

Yes! Taking a shot in the dark with 4 of them was a very brave move on my behalf. But they were so awesome with their feathered feet, and they truly are gentle giants! I did get 4 white leghorns though because I was making sure i would get eggs one way or another! But what would I do with 4 noisy roos? oh-no

 

[Eggcessive]

This is a bad picture of a cockerel I had, but it shows the orange saddle feathers in front of the tail. Also when you compare the combs the male has a wider more distinct 3 rows pea comb, where the girls have more narrow combs with the center row more distinct. You will enjoy your brahmas, but they are huge gentle sweeties that like to eat.

 

[MegW84]

He is so pretty! Thanks for the pic and the info, I never would've figured that out just by reading when people explain that "its pointed feathers by the tail" I was thinking "good grief they are covered in feathers" LOL. So I guess I will stick it out for a couple more weeks and they will be even more refined, then we can try again.

 

[OleMissChic]

You may have seen these already but maybe these other threads will help?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/530033/buff-brahma-rooster

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679395/buff-brahma-off-type-cockerel

Or try posting to the Brahma thread?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/169790/brahma-thread/6320

This is like a great mystery, I have to know how it turns out!