Slow Feather Growth = Possible Roo?

[Robert G]

One of my broodys was able to hatch a lavender Cochin bantam from eggs I ordered online. The only thing I've noticed is it's feathers are growing much slower than the other chicks that hatched the same Is it a myth that is most likely a roo?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

One of my broodys was able to hatch a lavender Cochin bantam from eggs I ordered online. The only thing I've noticed is it's feathers are growing much slower than the other chicks that hatched the same Is it a myth that is most likely a roo?

View attachment 1424210

Generally in cochins the roosters do feather much slower than the pullets.

 

[Cayuga momma]

Both my roos (cockerels) feathered alot slower than my pullets.

 

[Robert G]

Thanks for your replies. I was hoping to have a pullet.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Don't do anything dramatic until you get the sex confirmed by another method. I don't know the science behind the comments that a cockerel feathers out slower than a pullet. I'd like to see a link to them.

There are fast-feathering and slow feathering genes. If the mother has the dominant slow-feathering gene and the father has the recessive fast-feathering gene then you can use that to make feather-sexing sex links. in that case the cockerels will feather out slower, the pullets faster. Any other combination in the parents and it does not work.

So give it time.

 

[Robert G]

Thank you. I wasn't planning on doing anything dramatic. I was just wondering. I will let time tell and update this thread with pictures as it grows.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Don't do anything dramatic until you get the sex confirmed by another method. I don't know the science behind the comments that a cockerel feathers out slower than a pullet. I'd like to see a link to them.

There are fast-feathering and slow feathering genes. If the mother has the dominant slow-feathering gene and the father has the recessive fast-feathering gene then you can use that to make feather-sexing sex links. in that case the cockerels will feather out slower, the pullets faster. Any other combination in the parents and it does not work.

So give it time.

No link, just observations. I keep a lot of cochins and Orpingtons, another breed where the boys generally feather slower. It definitely isn't 100%, but in most cases it true. They also will develop a pink comb by 5 weeks, which will always confirm my suspicions.

 

[Robert G]

No link, just observations. I keep a lot of cochins and Orpingtons, another breed where the boys generally feather slower. It definitely isn't 100%, but in most cases it true. They also will develop a pink comb by 5 weeks, which will always confirm my suspicions.

Well it just turned 4 weeks and looks like we were right. Future cockeral.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well it just turned 4 weeks and looks like we were right. Future cockeral.
View attachment 1447332

Oh yeah, that's a boy. Mine is almost 5 weeks and still nearly naked too. Mines a bantam mottled.

 

[Robert G]

I'll post more pics as he gets older. His mom and two other broody hens left their chicks. I put them all together to give each other company.