Sex of almost 16 week old EE?

[WingingIt]

These are of our crossbeak EE. Sometimes the feathers are up on the tail and sometimes they are down. Including pictures of both along with comb and feet. I took these tonight before I trimmed the bottom beak again. Will be 16 weeks in a few days. I'm hoping girl because then she can stay and she's one of my favorites thanks to all the hand feeding and extra care needed because of the crossbeak.. If it's a roo (as DH suspects) then he has to go as he'd be the only rooster and we don't want to breed him since the crossbeak is genetic.

ETA: No attempts at crowing.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

 

[hinkjc]

Girl

 

[19hhbelgian]

I was thinking girl too

 

[joedie]

Looks just like one of my EE pullets! My 16 wk old EE cockeral has been roo looking since he was 7 weeks with the red comb and has had quite a long tail for about 4 wks now. Really quite a difference. I'd say yours is definately a girl!

 

[speckledhen]

100% girl.

 

[Mahonri]

Pullet... she'll make some nice LARGE eggs.

 

[pips&peeps]

I agree with everyone else, pullet.

 

[WingingIt]

Thanks, everyone! Woohoo - she gets to stay!

 

[ChooksChick]

All girly!!



If you can get an avian vet to do the trimming, do- it's easier than you think to break their beaks, and then you have 2 pieces connected by soft tissue- it's a nightmare. My vet had it happen when he was trimming my bird, and he's an avian specialist- my roo had metal staples holding his beak and a prosthetic beak together and looked like a FrankenChicken.

I have to hand feed him several times a day, and it's a real drain on time and energy. Keep an eye on her weight and make sure she gets enough time to eat without others nabbing her food- I have a feed cup that bolts onto the side of the run, meant for a parrot, I think. It's deeper and helps him try...we're trying to get him back to feeding himself, though I suspect it won't ever happen...

The special time and energy makes them amazing birds to have for pets, though- Professor is my favorite, and I'm trying to determine if it's truly genetic. It's a crying shame if I can't breed him, given that he practically never crows unless he's inside and we're feeding him! We can't have a roo, technically, and since he's quiet, no one knows!

 

[desertgirl]

Ummmm-break their beaks?? It does look like the one pictured is growing around, but I have a EE pullet (

)and I hadn't planned on anything like this. You mentioned genetics-could you educate me?