Two new Cochins - what gender?

[CoopedInn]

Hi All,

I've added a couple of Cochins to my flock, one black and one splash(??). I am told that they are nearly 4 months. Was hoping you could help me with the gender on these:

Splash:










Black:

 

[BantamLover21]

Both of them look like cockerels to me.

 

[Wyandottes7]

I'm leaning toward both being cockerels.

 

[CoopedInn]

Oh no! I just re-homed two beautiful cochin roos to get these thinking they were hens. I thought by this age their neck and saddle feathers would have been longer, more sickle shaped. Any tips to sexing these in the future? Here's a few more photos. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Basskids08]

They are both beautiful cockerels! Cochin pullets at that age would have very tiny combs and tiny wattles!

 

[donrae]

Agree they're both cockerels. The gawky look, large combs for the age and starts of sex feathers are the giveaway. The reddish color on the wings tell on the splash bird, and the black bird you can see the glossiness of the sex feathers.

 

[Michael OShay]

X5 on Cochin cockerels, but they sure are beautiful.

 

[CoopedInn]

I guess I'm just a rooster magnet! I was going to keep my other two Cochin roos, but I only have room for about 7 birds in my coop/run, and I was advised to have no more than one. Finally decided to re-home both of those and just have seven layers, but looks like I'm back where I started!

 

[donrae]

You might want to post pics on here of birds you're thinking about buying, just to have us vet them first. Be sure you're getting what you want.

 

[CoopedInn]

Good advice. Thanks! Fortunately, I know the individual I got these from, and he has several more. He said I can swap them if they turn out to be Roos. Should I keep one, and swap the other one for a hen? That would put me at one Cochin roo to six pullets (2 each Cochins, barred rocks, and buff orps). I've read the best ratio is around 1:10. My pullets are about 5 months old now. Not interested in hatching any eggs, just wanted decent layers that are docile. I do have to admit that I love hearing a rooster crowing in the morning though, and there are no restrictions where I live. Decisions, decisions! LOL