Sexing six week old black copper Marans

[Keylime]

I ordered three vent sexed black tailed red maran pullets, and received three skunk colored chicks I am guessing are Black copper marans. I can live with it as long as they don’t end up being cocks. What do you think?

Chick 1 I had always suspected of being a Cockerel until now. Very slow feathering, small tail, extremely long neck and legs. But it has no comb or waddle developments yet and has not displayed any kind of rooster behavior. It remains the smallest of the three.

Chick 2 I’m almost certain is a Pullet.

Chick 3 I’m not so sure. Fast feathering. Biggest and most developed by far, and it has the largest comb, but it is still yellow. This is the only chick that has any copper feathers, a few on the wings and the hackles. It is a very nice and friendly chick. Likes to be held and petted.

They came from a large hatchery, and I think it is safe to say none of these chicks are related.

 

[nuthatched]

No obvious cockerels.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

All appear to be pullets. Marans comb up early and I would expect larger combs in six week old boys at this point.

 

[MamaFox78]

I would agree - here's my lil guy, also a 6 week old black copper Maran. I was pretty sure he was a cockerel early on because of his behavior... he's so spicy we named him Chipotle.

 

[Keylime]

I would agree - here's my lil guy, also a 6 week old black copper Maran. I was pretty sure he was a cockerel early on because of his behavior... he's so spicy we named him Chipotle.

He is soooo cute! I wish I could have a roo. I had three Silkie Roos that were fun and cuddly but against the ordinance and I had to give them up.

 

[MamaFox78]

Aww! I have a Silkie roo named Dr Pecker who is super cute, bummer you can't have roosters with that ordinance! We got Dr Pecker the same way... my brother's neighbor was moving to DC and they couldn't keep him. We're zoned Ag with plenty of acreage, so we can have whatever... despite my husband being less than thrilled at the cockadoodledoo every morning. I'm pretty sure at least 3 of my 18 new little chooks are cockerels, he'll really love it when they all start crowing.

 

[Tretinker]

My guess would be all pullets. We've had a few Marans hybrids and the cockerels have all sprouted combs very early by 4 weeks they were huge!

 

[Keylime]

Here 1 and 3 are at eight weeks… Can I close the file on this? Are these going to be hens?

 

[knoturavggrl]

All look like pullets to me as well. My boy at 7 weeks. It would likely be far more obvious if you had any boys