Roo / pullet signs

[MuscovyMad]

I have been looking around and i am amazed that some of you can sex them when they are so young. What indicators do you use?

I have 5 2 week old cochin/OEGB chicks and i'm trying to work them out.

I thought i might have a roo as there are small blips on the backs of his/her legs so i assumed they were developing spurs. But then on looking closely they all seem to have little blips. Hopefully this doesn't mean all roos.

I will post pics later. Just thought i would ask for the indicators now.

 

[happyhens44]

Well when I sex a chicks, Usually when someone posts a thread on "what gender are these?" they have more then on chick of th same breed, SO I compair the combs, waddles, body shape. And the one that has darker waddles and a larger comb helps me.. BUT if there is only one chick I look at the age of the chick, when look at the waddles, comb, body shape and (depending on the breed) You can tell on how large the comb is. Here is a ex. My 2nd genderation Red sex-links are both white(2nd generation chick colors doesnt sex them, only first generation colors can) , Well At 4 weeks old one had tiny little waddles comming in, the other had nothing. When 8 weeks the other has a comb almost twice the size as her tiny comb, and hes got waddles. And now there 13 weeks old and hes got his brown feathers comming in and shes got a tiny comb still, and just little waddles.

If you post a pic on your chick, I can sex it (and what features, point out how gender it is)

 

[tjchick]

HappyHens,,,do you use leg size to help determine gender? I have several 2 wk old chicks that I'm trying to figure out. Some have legs that are much larger than others. And some have a much larger body size in general. Of course there is some Jersey Giant mixed in with this flock so maybe that doesn't tell me anything.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
What color was the Cochin and the OEGB and which was the rooster?

Chris

 

[donrae]

I use leg thickness when they're a few weeks old. Comb and wattles, general stance, sometimes color.

They all have spur bumps when they're little. And hens do grow spurs sometimes.

 

[Raven81]

with the last lot i hatched at 2 wks old the 2 roos started fighting more than the normal bump & run. but there was also larger comb/wattles coming in then aswell.
i have some 2wk olds atm & am waiting to see if my theory of wing feathers is correct.
eg the roos dont develop feather shafts on their shoulders till later where as the pullets do.

 

[akcountrygrrl]

Quote:
All chicks have spur bumps. I've even had full grown hens with 2 inch long wicked sharp spurs. As far as indicators of gender... (disclaimer - these indicators do not apply to all birds

). In my experience, roosters don't always feather out as quickly as hens (particularly Cochins), roosters tend to have faster growing combs and wattles, roosters may have thicker legs, roosters (unless they are a hen feathered breed) will grow long hackle (neck) and saddle (right in front of the tail) feathers, in some varieties (colors) the adult rooster coloration is markedly different from the hen's and will start developing early on, and roosters crow; hens lay eggs

.

 

[MuscovyMad]

Hey. Sorry it's been ages since i said i would post pics. I hd exams and have moved house amongst a million other things.

Chris09 the OEGB was the rooster and the cochin the hen. The rooster is black like the first three pictures except with blue/green tail feathers. And the hen is the same colour as the ones i think are cockerels.

Anyways here are my 5 chicks at approximately 6.5 weeks old. I think i have guessed right but any input is much appreciated.

Pullet

Pullet

Pullet

Cockerel

Cockerel

Is it a coincidence that the ones i think are cockerels both happen to be the same colour which is a different colour from the others?

 

[MuscovyMad]

Can anyone double check this for me?

 

[aghiowa]

I think you're right on with your guesses. Those combs are SO much bigger on the last two.

Angela