The usual question!

[TS92]

16 weeks - male or female? Light sussex/Warren crosses, hatched under a bantam. I only have those 2 and 4 bantams so nothing to compare them with and no experience!

I thought cockerels due to the red combs but now I am told that is not so easy to tell with hybrids/good layers, I also can't see any sign of pointed saddle feathers or rooster behaviour whatsoever. Tend to stand with tail drooping when resting...

But I really have no clue! Any help welcomed

 

[sourland]

Both are cockerels, and the more white bird will be a truly striking rooster.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Agreed!

 

[CluckerFamily]

Cockerels

 

[TS92]

Many thanks all! Just wanting to learn- what tells you they are definitely cockerels? In case I do hatch any more next year

 

[HappyDuckie]

Many thanks all! Just wanting to learn- what tells you they are definitely cockerels? In case I do hatch any more next year

Pointy hackle and saddle feathers. Large and or red wattles at a young age. Also, with patterned breeds (such as a golden or silver laced Wyandotte) the feather pattern is usually more spread out, and not uniform like the hens. What breeds are they mixed with? Very pretty!

 

[TS92]

Ok thank you - yes I was aware of the combs and wattles being larger & redder sooner but couldn't see the pointy feathers on the saddle although I do see it a bit on the hackles! They are lovely but are just Warren/Light Sussex crosses which are both common egg/meat hybrids in the UK. Hope I can find homes for them as they are much to big to stay with our 4 Pekin Bantams!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Many thanks all! Just wanting to learn- what tells you they are definitely cockerels? In case I do hatch any more next year

The uneven, patchy coloring (hens tend to be more evenly colored) and the darker rust colored patches on the wings are also male traits.