Probably a dumb question...but...

[SunAngel]

I am guessing both of these 4 week old Silver Laced Wyandottes are boys, am I right? I paid for pullets but I don't think they should have such red combs and wattles at 1 month. Unless SLW are different than other chickens? One was much bigger than the other, so I thought maybe I had one of each, but just noticed today that the smaller one has even redder wattles than the larger one!

ETA: They were definitely boys and have been rehomed. Will try for SLW pullets again in the Spring.

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Can you check the backs of there legs for spur spots. It's not always 100% accurate, but if it's a rooster it should have a spur bump. sometimes hens get them, but I believe they are not as pronounced as a roosters.
Again, not 100% accurate all the time, but it might help in figuring it out.

 

[SunAngel]

I just went and check and yep, spur bumps on both.

*sigh* Dumb Ideal, I was really hoping for 2 SLW hens. I am having such a hard time getting hens its unreal. I have had probably 100 chicks/chickens come through here since May and I have managed to get about 20 nice pullets/hens total, ugh. Why is this so difficult? Maybe I am just a roo magnet?

 

[SunAngel]

Well Ideal agreed that they were boys, so they have refunded me for the 2 SLWs and a Barred Rock and boxing charges for all. But they didn't have any more available, so I guess I will be waiting til Spring for any SLWs. This chicken stuff can be depressing!

 

[jossanne]

FYI spur bumps is not a good way to sex chicks. I've got 5 6mo pullets, all of whom had spur bumps from at least 6 weeks old when I got them.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. All chickens can have spur bumps. It's just with the roos that the spur bumps actually develop into spurs.

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Quote:
I agree. All chickens can have spur bumps. It's just with the roos that the spur bumps actually develop into spurs.

True True...Like I posted earlier...It's not 100% accurate on the spur bumps, but you can notice the difference and could possible tell if they are hens or roos from that....

This is also is NOT 100% accurate, but someone told be that the hens little bumps (if she has them) should be closer to the bottom of the legs where the roos are up a bit more....

 

[NRacine]

I don't think they should have such red combs

I thought the same thing of my GLW at 5 weeks:

That one seems to be developing faster than the others, and the comb is much redder than the others. I'm wondering if it's the breed. Anyone else have the same experience?​

 

[Sylvie]

My three SLW girls went red at about 5 weeks and the redness comes and goes. The combs are still the same size at 15 weeks as they were at 6 weeks. I have read that it is hard with SLW because they redden a bit early. Mine will redden when in an altercation with another pullet and then pink lighter after a few minutes. I thought I was imagining this until a friend noticed it as well.
Did you post pics of yours? If so I can't view them.