Sexing 4-5 week old Columbia’s Wyandottes

[kaylieinkansas]

Hi all,

New chicken owner here. I recently ordered 3 pullets from a local hatchery and was sent 4 birds. Two of them are Columbian Wyandottes. They should be about 4 weeks old but I think they're a little older just based on the rate they developed, maybe 5-6 weeks? One of them is developing a slight red tint to her comb and I'm worried that she might actually be a cockerel. I'll post photos. I'm not sure that the two Columbian Wyandottes came from the same litter (clutch? batch?) so they may just be different ages. My question is, is it normal for females to develop a red comb this early? Or should I try not to get too attached to her? We won't be able to keep a rooster as we live in a neighborhood. We will have to rehome.


Any input or advice you all have would be greatly helpful and appreciated!

Kaylie

Daphne, the first of the pair that is likely a pullet:

And Matilda, the chicken in question:

 

[Alexandra33]

Still a little early to be sure, but I'm also leaning towards a pair. The second looks to be pinking up a bit.

 

[kaylieinkansas]

Still a little early to be sure, but I'm also leaning towards a pair. The second looks to be pinking up a bit.

Thank you for the input! Do the females pink up this early or is it usually just the males?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Thank you for the input! Do the females pink up this early or is it usually just the males?

Just the males at that age.

 

[Wolfie712]

Did Matilda end up being a hen or a rooster?

 

[kaylieinkansas]

Did Matilda end up being a hen or a rooster?

Good question. I think she’s a hen. I’ll post updated photos. Her waddles and comb are redder and more slightly more developed than daphne’s for sure. But no male behaviors. And female feathering if you ask me.

 

[kaylieinkansas]

Updated photos at about 13weeks

Daphne:


Matilda:






Any other input is welcome and helpful!

 

[Wolfie712]

They’re both beautiful! My Columbian Wyandotte is 7 weeks old, and I’ve been trying to figure out her gender too. Her body and feathers look female, but her comb and wattles are pinkish red.