The Buckeye Thread

[Pathfinders]

I have posted these before, but I think they're helpful in determining the difference between cockerels and pullets:

 

[chickensnew2me]

I have posted these before, but I think they're helpful in determining the difference between cockerels and pullets:

Laura, I took this picture that you had posted earlier with me to the pen and to my new inexperienced eye still could not tell. I guess I will have to wait until they mature a little more.

 

[PA Farmer24]

I need opinions on this guy. Is it a cockerel or pullet? I think cockerel but I am not sure.

Both birds that you can see the comb on look to be Cockerels. However, also going by the shanks the one that is facing right does have thicker shanks as the one facing away. Most times you can compare the combs, shanks and feathering like Laura posted however using the feathering you can tell or at least it looks like to me that it could be misleading on these two birds as the one on the left does not have the strainger feather like in the photos Laura posted vs. the the bird on the right that does seem to have straighter feathering showing. So using all three methods is a better way of determining sex in 2 to 4 month old birds. However, disclaimer it would also depend on how fast your birds are developing based on line/strain as well to see what is what. At least that is my experience. Some birds from some strains/lines could develop faster than others which could help or not help it all depends on the strain/line i guess.

 

[PA Farmer24]

Second one I am not sure about. I think cockerel but not positive. It is the one in the corner.

I would agree with Chris tha the bird closest to the corner (middle) of the photo appears to be a pullet.

 

[Pathfinders]

Here's what I posted earlier in the thread:

I generally find I can start to determine gender in poultry at or around 12 weeks or so, sometimes earlier. A good way to try to determine males from females is to look for saddle feathers. Hold a bird with the head facing you, looking down on it so you can see its back. When you look at the feathers just in front of the tail, which are called the saddle feathers, are they pointy, or rounded?

Pointy saddle feathers mean it's a male bird, or cockerel. Rounded saddle feathers mean it's a female bird, or pullet. Same thing with hackle feathers.

As well, hackle and saddle feathers of males will be glossier than females, whose feathers will be more dull and less shiny.

Also cockerels generally have thicker shanks, bigger redder combs, and are generally larger and heavier than pullets of the same age.

Behavior can sometimes give clues as to gender as well. Cockerels tend to be pushier at the feed trough and waterers. This is part of why it's a good idea to determine gender early, and separate birds by gender into different pens, which allows the pullets access to food and water without them being shouldered aside by the cockerels.

 

[chickensnew2me]

Here's a better pic of the buckeye. I still think a cockerel, but I could be wrong.

 

[chickensnew2me]

other side

 

[Luckytaz]

That is a cockerel.

 

[Pathfinders]

Yep, I agree. Cockerel.

 

[chickensnew2me]

Ok. Thanks. That's what I was thinking too. Laura I guess that means 10 cockerels and 15 pullets.