Saddle feathers

[chickenhappy1233]

Another 8 week barnyard mix

this one is a pullet

 

[chickenhappy1233]

So how did you pick that so quick? What was your clue?

look at the combs, they are far to big and red to be pullets at this age

 

[bhawk-23]

Male specific saddle feathers do not begin to come in until 12+ weeks.

So at this age you would look more closely at comb and wattles development. Gender specific coloring/pattern is also something that can be picked out earlier.

Ah, I was thinking it would be sooner. I keep looking because from research it appears to be a more telltale sign.

 

[Painted Calls]

this is my cockerel at 9 weeks, if you look close at the end of his wings you can see saddle feathers comming in

Do you have better pics?

 

[chickenhappy1233]

Do you have better pics?

ill see if i do, he is 7 or 8 months old now

 

[MysteryChicken]

I've had chicks sprout saddles as early as 5-6 weeks. Some take longer like 8-10 weeks old. I had one not start looking like a boy until 6 months old.

 

[chickenhappy1233]

ok i found some, not of him but of my other cockerel also at 9 weeks.

 

[bhawk-23]

need some close up photos of the comb, at this age saddle feathers will be quite hard to see.

So are you saying all my endless staring won't make them more obvious??

 

[chickenhappy1233]

So are you saying all my endless staring won't make them more obvious??

you can try to move some of the feathers on the back and see if there are any in there but yours still look a bit young for them. sexing by comb and wattles at this age is much easier

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

They all look to be female to me. Except the last one. If that is wrong then don't lisen to me this is not my day.