Sapphire Olive Egger ... anyone worry this is a boy?

[MIChickandGuinea]

I know it’s hard to tell in very young birds, but some people have a knack or practiced eye. This bird is 4 weeks old and is a Sapphire Olive Egger from Hoover’s Hatchery. None of the photos on their website show a crest!! But this bird is surely developing a funny hairdo. Is this just normal bird variation, or is it something you’d see in a developing roo because they’re so fancy?

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

It's most likely a cockerel, with that much comb development, but post a pic of the comb in another 2 weeks to be sure.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

It's most likely a cockerel, with that much comb development, but post a pic of the comb in another 2 weeks to be sure.

Dang it. I super-don’t want any roosters.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

It's most likely a cockerel, with that much comb development, but post a pic of the comb in another 2 weeks to be sure.

For reference, though, here are two other same-age chicks who are also supposed to be pullets: one brown leghorn and one Welsummer. They both have significant combs as well.

 

[springvalley123]

FWIW about the crest, the picture of the adult/teenager on Hoover's site (and TSC) do show a crest, like a legbar. They don't say what the breeds are, but if you called Hoover's customer service they'd hopefully be able to tell you.

 

[Kris5902]

Could be a cockerel... in a few more weeks it will be much clearer. My Sapphire girls have crests, and all the cockerels had significant combs by 6 weeks comparatively, but I was able to compare their development side by side. What mix is your Sapphire Olive Egger supposed to be?

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Could be a cockerel... in a few more weeks it will be much clearer. My Sapphire girls have crests, and all the cockerels had significant combs by 6 weeks comparatively, but I was able to compare their development side by side. What mix is your Sapphire Olive Egger supposed to be?

The description doesn’t say what the hybrid mix is.

 

[Kris5902]

Mine @ about 6 weeks, Crested Cream Legbar x Leg Horn



The girls all have serious little poofs on top, though it’s not really clear in this pic.

 

[annageckos]

The crest(feathers) means nothing for gender. The comb is what you are looking at. I don't see any pink color in the comb at this point but it is still young to tell.

 

[Kris5902]

Yes, if the hybrid includes a CCL the crest is normal... and not an indicator of a cockerel, all 3 of my pullets have them, was what I’m was trying to communicate... I apologize if I was unclear.