Pullets or Cockerel?

[chickonanisland]

Please Help!

I have six - 4 week old chicks. I know it may be a bit early but I'd love any help on sexing them! We are hoping for 3-5 hens.

I have 3 Ameraucanas (or Easter Eggers) (not sure) and 3 Buff Orpingtons.





#1




#2




# 3





#4



#5


# 6

Thanks for your help!

 

[duckman14]

I'm no expert but I think I see a lot of Roos.

 

[cluckin nutty]

They look like pullets to me.

 

[debid]

Give them 2 more weeks to finish feathering. The EEs can usually be sexed by patterning at that point. I am pretty sure at least two of them are male, though. Most of the single-combed males will make themselves obvious by then with reddening/growing combs which I suspect will include one or two of your buffs.

 

[vigirlstef]

I am a complete novice, but from what I have been told, I think possibly #3 and more likely #6 are roos. But, again, that is just my guess.

 

[Life is Good!]

With our black Java chicks, I can tell about this age who's who. Check under their chins for a small red line....that's the start of wattles. The pullets don't start turning red until about 8wks old, the cockerals at about 3wks old.

Good luck!

 

[my sunwolf]

1. EE pullet
2. EE cockerel
3. EE cockerel

Not sure on the Buffs, though!

 

[JackieandChicks]

So at 12 weeks, if an EE was going to be an rooster, it would be very obvious by now? My first 6 are at least 12 weeks (maybe 13) and no combs or wattles yet.

 

[debid]

So at 12 weeks, if an EE was going to be an rooster, it would be very obvious by now?  My first 6 are at least 12 weeks (maybe 13) and no combs or wattles yet. 

Not necessarily. I've seen photos of grown roosters posted asking if they were hens as promised. Pea combs don't grow like a single (though they do grow and redden) and most EEs have bearding rather than wattles. Add to this greater variability in body size/shape and leg thickness and it can be difficult to tell unless you know what to look for.

But yes, I can almost always tell by 12 weeks with the patterned ones. Solid colors, usually.

 

[poultrylubber]

I would say give them more time. I had some at that age I thought were cockerels but now that they are older they seem to be pullets.