Please help me sex my Pekin bantam chick

[Debbiesue]

We bought our daughter six bantam chicks at 4 weeks old. 4 are Pekins and 2 are Welsummer. We know we have one Pekin roo, and he crowed for the first time today, but are worried we may have two. The chick in question is the black and white one who we have called Titch because when we got them she seemed much smaller than the rest. The chicks are now coming up to nine weeks old. Titch and one of our black pullets both chest bump Spike, the roo, however when outside for the first-time Titch and Spike did what I can only describe as the cockeral dance! Please let me know what you think.

Pictures to follow as cannot seem to upload using my mobile. Will try on the computer.

 

[Debbiesue]

Titch



Spike


Goldie and Titch

 

[mandelyn]

Looks like a male to me, that's a lot of comb/waddle growth for the age. Pullets will sometimes get into the face of a male in mock fighting, but other boys will do it longer before backing off, where as most pullets will back off quickly.

It's normal for there to be less comb/waddle growth on the more submissive males in the flock. They'll still have more than the pullets, but typically less than the one who's in charge. There is always one that matures a little faster, goes red sooner, and crows sooner.

 

[Debbiesue]

Thank you. I was afraid he/she was a roo. We do have the option of taking him back however would prefer to keep him. Is it possible to keep two roos or do you think they will fight and encourage each other to crow more?

 

[mandelyn]

It depends on if one of them is content to be submissive to the other, or if they get along and co-tend the hens. Some will get along, specially if raised together, while others reach a point in their lives where they must be in charge. Time will tell.

 

[Debbiesue]

Thank you. I think as we have the opportunity to do so it would be probably be best if we took him back rather than have a problem later on.

 

[lavender pekins]

If it were me i would keep him!
BTW hes beautiful
When i first hatched out my first lot of pekins i had 2 boys as well i kept them and have never had a problem!
Then i hatched out another lot we had 3 roosters and until there dying day never had a single scrap!

 

[Debbiesue]

Thank you I was hoping to hear that we may be able to keep him. I haven't the heart to take him back so keep making excuses why to leave it a little longer.

Do you keep all your roosters in with the hens or separate them out to a rooster only pen?

Did you have a problem with crowing and the roosters competing against each other?

So far Titch hasn't crowed and Spike only crows occasionally although this may be because they are so young.

 

[belgianlover101]

titch and spike are males and goldie is a female