Speckled Sussex Sexing Help

[speckledhen]

This is my first batch of this breed and I hatched 8 chicks. Two look totally different from the rest and are pullets for certain. I sold two I knew were cockerels, but a couple of the others are confusing me. I think they're cockerels because of several things: stocky bodies, short tails (although I did have some vampire chicks and the tails could have been plucked out-they concentrated on the SS), pinker combs than my two definite pullets and thicker legs. Still....one in particular has an almost whitish-pink comb, not the Pepto-Bismol pink of the others, and another one seems not very masculine. The first two pics are of the same bird and the last pic is another one:

 

[justusnak]

Hmmmm< I dont have this breed....but...the First one screams HEN to me. She is sooooo beautifull. The second one....im thinking a roo. They are both so pretty.

 

[speckledhen]

You would not believe how UGLY that first one was two or three weeks ago! An almost totally white face, white underside, white wings. I called it "the Troll", LOL, but I'd hold it and tell it, "You going to be the prettiest one of all" and by golly, it is getting so handsome now. I have had it pegged as a cockerel all this time, but now, I am not at all sure it's a boy.

 

[justusnak]

Troll

....I was thinking...the ugly duckling...what a beautifull "swan" she will be!

 

[speckledhen]

Except for the really thick legs, I might have more hope for a pullet, but, heck, I have a cockerel with thinner legs, so who knows? Sure wish someone who had this breed could lend their knowledge to us here! Here's another pic of her/him

 

[pegbo]

Cyn, I pretty definite that the second is a Roo!!!! I should know after all I have Yancey to go by. My son just looked at your pictures and on the second and third noticed the green feathers on wing and tail. They kind of glint. The Roos have fantastic colors which is why I can't part with Yancey even though he's a pain in the neck!!! The first is a hen and they are so sweet and gentle. My Addy is my favorite chicken to date. She's such a character. Have fun with them, they really are enjoyable!

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Peg. Interesting what you can see in the photos that your eye doesn't catch, isn't it? I noticed that glint of color when I looked at the picture, not when I looked at the actual bird. Guess I need to look for that as extra confirmation on the sex of these four. I hope that first one is a pullet-several people have said they thought so, too. She has outer toes that bend to the sides; I had a couple of SS in this bunch with a similar issue-not the other four breeds in the bator, just the SS. Could be a genetic thing with one of the hens in the flock of the person where I got the hatching eggs. I can tell you this baby has no problems getting around and escaping me, LOL. Once caught, she's sweet and getting prettier every day.

 

[CashmereSussex]

they all look like roos to me, i think if you just look for the same things in the light sussex you will find they look like roos

 

[speckledhen]

I have about decided that the one in question was just a slow-developing cockerel. He has very thick legs and that squat body of the other boys, even if the comb looks a bit "girly", LOL. Thanks for the input.

 

[CA Bean]

Did the one in question turn out to be a roo? It is hard to find people who really know this breed. I have several in question and did a search. Updating this would be most definitely helpful.