oh no... is this a 5-week old SLW roo?

[duckyes]

i got this SLW as a "pullet" from a hatchery, raised from day old chick to 5 weeks old today. i had always wanted a SLW but can only keep hens. this is the only SLW in the flock.

her comb area is redder than every other chick in the flock, but not quite bright red. and her wattles are pink, though im not sure if they are too big for her age. she is quite "meaty", dense and heavy. she also feathered quite a few days slower than her flock mates (RIRs, BOs, BAs).

what do you think? i feel like i keep having bad luck, this hatchery is supposed to guarantee 90% accurate sexing and so far 3 out of a flock of 6 are roo suspects....it would be such a shame because she's beautiful.

all above photos are taken at 5 weeks. the one below is at 4 weeks:

 

[cavemanrich]

this hatchery is supposed to guarantee 90% accurate sexing

90% is HIGH average correctness. Some claim 83% to 80%
You may be ending up with the 10% incorrect ones with your purchases.

You say you cant have roosters,,, and I cant have them ether where I live. The way I solved that,,,, I purchased Started/grown chickens,,, or sex-linked ones.
I know it is a challenge to rehome roosters. Many end up as soup birds. I am OK with that. Rooster grows, and enjoys a good life with just one bad moment. A possibly needy family gains food/nutrition.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[SchwartzLakeFarmNC]

I'd guess Cockerel, but SLW are tough to guess early on, they mature quick, but I think I'm seeing pointed feathers coming in, but the pattern is equal which normally infers female, so I'm only 51/49 Cockerel right now, at 9-10 weeks you'll know for certain.

 

[JedJackson]

It's looking like a male, but as stated above, Wyandottes can be tricky. So wait a few weeks to be certain. If it is a male, it will be easier to find a new home for him when he's out of this awkward stage of growth anyhow.

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

I say male -

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Male......Wow those legs are huge!

 

[duckyes]

I'd guess Cockerel, but SLW are tough to guess early on, they mature quick, but I think I'm seeing pointed feathers coming in, but the pattern is equal which normally infers female, so I'm only 51/49 Cockerel right now, at 9-10 weeks you'll know for certain.

could you kindly elaborate on the pointed feather part? i am fairly new to this and can learn some tips on how to spot early signs of a roo

 

[aart]

could you kindly elaborate on the pointed feather part? i am fairly new to this and can learn some tips on how to spot early signs of a roo

The pointed hackle and saddle feathers on a male usually don't begin to show until 10-14 weeks.

 

[duckyes]

The pointed hackle and saddle feathers on a male usually don't begin to show until 10-14 weeks.

here are some more pics taken with flash from this morning when she sat on me. i am worried about the pink/red shown in the wattle... but you are right he/she has most of their back feathers already at 5 weeks

 

[aart]

i am worried about the pink/red shown in the wattle

Yep, that's a pretty strong sign that it's a male. but only time will tell for sure.

but you are right he/she has most of their back feathers already at 5 weeks

That's just the first set of feathers.
They will go thru 2-3 'molts' before about 6 months old.