Speckled Sussex Gender Guess 5-6 weeks

[sbbcc]

We have six birds all within the the four to six week old range that are all different breeds. It makes it difficult to compare BUT the specked is developing much different and we are wondering if its a cockeral. I know its early but curious what you think fromt the photos.

 

[Painted Calls]

Sussex comb up early. If the chick is 4 weeks, it looks like a male. If it's 6 weeks, it could be a female. Update us in 2 weeks.

 

[Tookie]

Looking like a cockerel to me.

 

[BastyPutt]

I agree, he looks like a cockerel.

I feel I'm dense here, but for the life of me I can't see pointed saddle and hackle feathers coming in yet.
I don't doubt he is a boy, but could you point out what you are seeing?
(always trying to learn more, lol)

So the first pic is this iridescent, "leakage". And on a Sussex, if nothing else, this would tell us everything we need to know. Especially its location and how it is in a patch like this. They aren't always pointy initially, but they usually will be longer than a pullets.

Second are these few little feathers that are falling off his rear end. Again, not much, and a hen will have some of these, but not a pullet. I won't a pullet wouldn't ever have these, but along with the other evidence, these are telling.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

I think cockerel too.

 

[CoolChick2]

My 8 week old little speckled pullet and I are guessing you have a handsome cockerel

 

[ChickenNuggie]

My guess would be pullet, but most breeds don’t start getting their second round of feathers until between 12 and 15 weeks. I do t see any pointed hackle or saddle feathers, and no sickle shaped tail feathers, but that doesn’t mean they’re not coming. You probably won’t be able to tell for several more weeks.

 

[BastyPutt]

One last photo at 10 weeks. Thoughts? View attachment 3525108

This is undeniably a cockerel. A very fast maturing one at that. Interesting to see his hackles and saddles coming in so quickly.

SS roosters are beautiful, you've got a real gem on your hands here.

 

[Sussex19]

Thanks @BastyPutt.
I never knew this!

So the first pic is this iridescent, "leakage". And on a Sussex, if nothing else, this would tell us everything we need to know. Especially its location and how it is in a patch like this. They aren't always pointy initially, but they usually will be longer than a pullets.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

He's a cockerel!