On the topic of Easter Eggers... *Generally Speaking*...

[rbc-bow-chicka]

At what age... ROUGHLY... will I be able to see sex differences in EEs?

EEs seem to be so special (read: difficult) because they are a 'non breed.' I have read SO many different things that my head is swimming. Feathering, coloring, number and position of nubs on comb... etc etc. But there has to be some 'real' tells... Like comb COLOR at a younger age for example? Please? Lol.

I have nearly 4 week old chicks-- 4 OE (OE hen × RIR roo) and 6 EE (EE × EE). The only reddening comb I'm seeing is a half naked OE that I would have guessed male before the comb started coloring up. I do have half naked with yellow combs.

Please throw any bones my way.

Thank you.

 

[ShrekDawg]

If you post pictures of them we can try to guess but you might not be able to tell until 6-8 weeks or later with EEs and OEs. Sometimes with them it can be 12 weeks or more unfortunately. But sometimes you can tell quite early. Like if they have a bright red comb or red/gold wing patches and splotchy coloring.

 

[rbc-bow-chicka]

If you post pictures of them we can try to guess but you might not be able to tell until 6-8 weeks or later with EEs and OEs. Sometimes with them it can be 12 weeks or more unfortunately. But sometimes you can tell quite early. Like if they have a bright red comb or red/gold wing patches and splotchy coloring.

I looked at the topic of how to provide 'good' pictures and I'm trying to figure out how I can do that without escaping chicks. Their brooder is in a coop so i have to lock the big kids out. May try that tomorrow morning. Thank you for the info... sounds like I have a bit to go!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

I looked at the topic of how to provide 'good' pictures and I'm trying to figure out how I can do that without escaping chicks. Their brooder is in a coop so i have to lock the big kids out. May try that tomorrow morning. Thank you for the info... sounds like I have a bit to go!!

You’re welcome!

 

[rbc-bow-chicka]

Well, here we are.... 7 weeks and 2 days. I have 4 OE chicks and 6 EE chicks. And I hope these pics are helpful.

Let's talk about the OE chicks first...as I was confusing myself, and think it will be easier to focus on one group at a time.

The OE chicks are the product of an OE hen and a pure RIR rooster. One of them is CLEARLY a rooster to me. Black chick (favoring OE mother) with very noticeable comb and wattles since about 10 days old. Seriously. He is labeled A. His hatchmates are favor the RIR father and are labeled B, C and D.

I had a lot of help trying to figure out my RIR chicks a few weeks ago... and I'm not sure if I should be using the same rough sexing/age criteria for these mainly because they are only half RIR.

Thank you for any insights.... I am the 1st person to admit I am the world's worst judge of chicken sex.

 

[FrostRanger]

I think A is your only cockerel so far. In general though, you just have to use the same criteria for sexing chickens in general. Since easter eggers are a mix and not necessarily a mix of the same breed, there's no breed specific trait that will apply to every easter egger beyond the usual markers

 

[MountainWoman73]

The reason EE/OE's are harder to sex is that they often have a pea comb or some variation of a pea comb.

Your 4 all have straight combs, which are usually easier to sex.

A is a boy as you said. B, C, D are pullets!

 

[rbc-bow-chicka]

The reason EE/OE's are harder to sex is that they often have a pea comb or some variation of a pea comb.

Your 4 all have straight combs, which are usually easier to sex.

A is a boy as you said. B, C, D are pullets!

I am leaning that way... mainly on the way my RIRs grew out. One of those 4 is still a mystery to me featherwise.... but behavior and the way the body is carried, I'm leaning toward a girl.

I am organizing the EE/EE (100% mutt, lol) pics to put up later. Please check back? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

[rbc-bow-chicka]

I think A is your only cockerel so far. In general though, you just have to use the same criteria for sexing chickens in general. Since easter eggers are a mix and not necessarily a mix of the same breed, there's no breed specific trait that will apply to every easter egger beyond the usual markers

With the EEs, I have one comb pinking up... that may be the largest comb but I will need to double check. Some splotches color... reddish/gold patches.... it is all Greek to me.

Also.... I had 'deformed' (?) toes on a few... I hadn't noticed them before now. No pics yet.

I will put those EE pics up later and if you could come back to take a peek, I would appreciate your opinions.

 

[rbc-bow-chicka]

Alright.

6 Easter Eggers. All from green egg parents.

Seven weeks and 2 days.

A has the largest and pinkest comb/wattles starting and seems fully feathered. B, C and D are also fully feathered but smaller, pale combs, no wattles that I can see. E and F... small pale combs, no wattles that i can see but not fully feathered.

Splotchy color.... red/gold color... I honestly have no idea what I'm looking for here.