Slow to feather Easter Egger-a roo?

[annamcc314]

I have three 7ish weeks old Easter Eggers that were sold as pullets. Two of them were very similar in size and one was a little bit smaller, but there were only 3 left and I didn't want to leave one by itself! He/she has always been the spitfire of my flock of 5 and I've gotten very attached! I know it's hard to sex Easter Eggers, but I thought I'd post a picture and see what everyone thinks.




Here is my whole flock, you can see the size/feather difference. They were all bought at the same time. The Buff and the Barred Rock were sold to me as straight run.


She is growing a little comb already, she's between 7-8 weeks old. Hopefully a she! She is the sweetest thing.

 

[RhodeRunner]

All your Easter Eggers are pullets. Roosters do not develop such coloration, and would be showing a black chest, a bright neck, and splotches of red. The Barred Rocks coloration is a bit off, but it is also a pullet, and the Buff looks feminine too.

 

[annamcc314]

Sorry for the newbie question, how does the BR's coloring look off?

 

[RhodeRunner]

Sorry for the newbie question, how does the BR's coloring look off?

There is a great deal of variation in BR coloring. This is even more noticeable if you ever get the chance to see real Heritage Barred Rocks, instead of the production hatchery birds. I say it is a bit off as the barring doesn't seem to line up very well, and there are larger patches of both white and black on her. I wouldn't let it concern you though, as she will make a lovely pet. (If she has white legs instead of yellow/black, you probably have a Cuckoo Marans)

 

[annamcc314]

Here she is =) She is my favorite!

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

normally the more showy EE chicks colors will turn out to be roos...I see the baby feathers on that one in the first pic...he was silver "chipmunck" color as a baby wasn't he? I got 2 that same color from TSC 5 weeks ago and they are both roos...I also get one chocolate colored one (not too flashy she was just a dark chocolate colored) and it is a pullet...so if you are looking for pullets (at least in the EE breeds) look for darker colors instead of the "prettier" flashier ones

 

[RhodeRunner]

Here she is =) She is my favorite!

Well, that confirms it. You have a cuckoo Marans!

 

[RhodeRunner]

normally the more showy EE chicks colors will turn out to be roos...I see the baby feathers on that one in the first pic...he was silver "chipmunck" color as a baby wasn't he? I got 2 that same color from TSC 5 weeks ago and they are both roos...I also get one chocolate colored one (not too flashy she was just a dark chocolate colored) and it is a pullet...so if you are looking for pullets (at least in the EE breeds) look for darker colors instead of the "prettier" flashier ones

Very true! With most Easter Eggers sexual Dimorphism (two different color/pattern forms between the two sexes) applies. The above posters bird's coloration comes from the black breasted red. All black breasted red fowl have hens with salmon/brown chests, and all males have black chests.

 

[annamcc314]

Either way, I'm ok! She is a sweetheart. I guess I'll find out when she lays an egg!