*PICS*Is red comb/wattle development at 8 weeks a reliable way to sex?

[EggBreakfast]

I have three 8 week old chickens bought as sexed pullets - one RIR, one SLW, and one EE. Of the three, both RIR and SLW have red/pink comb colorings and have had for a while. Neither show any saddle feather development. However, I just looked at Pet Duck Boy's RIR photos, and my RIR has a very well developed single comb and wattles with lots of color. Do RIR hens ever develop wattles/combs early? I really don't want Omelet to be a boy, he's my daughter's favorite!

Edited to add that all three feathered in about the same pace, quite quickly. None of them look like they have especially tall or thick legs.

I will try to post some pics tonight.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Pictures would be the easiest.

 

[EggBreakfast]

I will try, but they haven't been especially cooperative for photos.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Sit down with them, let them crawl all over you after they settle down and then start taking pictures. I take lots and lots before finding the one or two that are good enough to post; all that moving can make things blurry

Usually, comb and wattle development with pink/red pigment is a sign of cockerel - but not always. I have a Del hen who for a long time I thought was going to be a roo based on comb/wattle growth.

 

[EggBreakfast]

I'll try tonight - thanks. Between the comb size and color on the RIR, the early color on the SLW comb, and the scary saddle feathers on my EE, I'm paranoid that I picked three boys out of a hundred sexed pullets! If I beat those odds I'd have to get into the lotto.

 

[EggBreakfast]

Finally got pics of the RIR - 9 weeks old.

 

[nefarmgal]

I'm no expert, but it looks very suspicious to me. I'd say roo!

 

[aussieheelr]

Sorry but what you have there is a roo. Large cubby legs and the tail feather shape and irridecent black feathers are a give away too. Bummer.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

I find they are fairly easy to sex by combs and behavior at about 3-4 weeks of age. The roos comb gets a lot redder and darker then the females. But then again, it could just be the breeds I have

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Omelet is a roo