Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[CackleJoy]

How can you tell the difference in gender as early as 7 wks? Are there any feather clues? I have two, the same age, and one definitely is getting it's comb and wattles faster. The other, who is smaller,has a bit of red in it's comb, too. I always thought that it was a hen. They don't chest bump or anything, either. I am hesitant to judge by their combs/wattles, as I had sussex hens before that had huge combs/wattles that would make a rooster envious.

It is true the Sussex have enviable combs and wattles

The trouble with the Swedes is that they are prone to late / early developing BOTH. I had a pullet in the first batch that I had pegged for a cockerel from about 4 wks. Obviously I was wrong. Then there are the crested ones that don't show the cockerel development until they get fancy feathers. I preach patience all the time but don't like to practice it!

Here are some that are about 8 wks. I took the photos last night. The one is identifiable as a cockerel, not so much for it's comb (yes it is big but so are the early developing pullets) but because of the red tint in the feathers. The SFH pullets don't get as red as the boys (if there are red feathers involved).




The next two we think are pullets by comparison

 

[cree57i]

It is true the Sussex have enviable combs and wattles

The trouble with the Swedes is that they are prone to late / early developing BOTH. I had a pullet in the first batch that I had pegged for a cockerel from about 4 wks. Obviously I was wrong. Then there are the crested ones that don't show the cockerel development until they get fancy feathers. I preach patience all the time but don't like to practice it!

Here are some that are about 8 wks. I took the photos last night. The one is identifiable as a cockerel, not so much for it's comb (yes it is big but so are the early developing pullets) but because of the red tint in the feathers. The SFH pullets don't get as red as the boys (if there are red feathers involved).




The next two we think are pullets by comparison

This is hopeful for me.

 

[schimmers]

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Here are my two. Any guess on the black one? (Hoping all my pics load!)

 

[schimmers]

 

[schimmers]

 

[THeelChickinKY]

I'm fairly confident the black one is a boy. Do you have better pictures of the other one?

 

[schimmers]

7wks old. This is the one I am pretty certain is a roo. A lot bigger than the black one.

 

[schimmers]

Any swedish flower hen fans in MT?

 

[myfivegirls]

7wks old. This is the one I am pretty certain is a roo. A lot bigger than the black one.

I'd think both are roos, too! The black one has quite the pink/red comb, and this one's wattles are quite bright also.
But, I'm not experienced at telling the genders on the SFH, so hopefully others will answer also.

 

[schimmers]

Anyone around Montana here?