Polish sexing 8 weeks old

[swamphiker]

Hi there, I've got one Polish that I'm unsure of sex. It's tougher to tell on this one since it's been on the bottom of the pecking order since it was 2 weeks old. It doesn't seem to be growing big wattles like it would if it were a cockerel, but the way its feathers are sticking straight up are making me suspicious. It's a white crested blue; the purple staining is from anti-peck lotion I've been applying. I've got it in a separate enclosure with just one other Polish so it's crest is finally starting to regrow where it's been picked.

The chick in question:

One of the pullets the same age:

 

[JedJackson]

The damage to its crests makes it impossible to get a good read on that aspect, but the wattles are tiny. So that is a good sign. I'm thinking pullet but it will take some more time to know for sure.

If the chick is traumatized from bullying, that can inhibit growth rate, so that's another thing to consider.

 

[swamphiker]

The damage to its crests makes it impossible to get a good read on that aspect, but the wattles are tiny. So that is a good sign. I'm thinking pullet but it will take some more time to know for sure.

If the chick is traumatized from bullying, that can inhibit growth rate, so that's another thing to consider.

Thanks! Yeah I'll just have to wait a few more weeks. This particular chick has been getting picked on since it was 2 weeks old, even with lots of space. The feathers have growing in better since I separated it from most of the chicks. I'm hoping it gets a bit better when I give them access to the run, which is very large with lots of hiding spots.

 

[JedJackson]

Thanks! Yeah I'll just have to wait a few more weeks. This particular chick has been getting picked on since it was 2 weeks old, even with lots of space. The feathers have growing in better since I separated it from most of the chicks. I'm hoping it gets a bit better when I give them access to the run, which is very large with lots of hiding spots.

It's a common problem with Polish. I hope you get the gender you want!