Unexpected hatching - help!

[aart]

Look at those toes!

SpiderFeet!!

 

[Theblackpukeko]

What do you guys say? This one looks like a roo, doesn't it?

They're at 4 to 4 and a half weeks. He is the only one with a comb this big. And none of his siblings have any signs of chin skin development yet. Also he is on top in the pecking order, always roosts higher than the others and shows very dominant behaviour. He was the first to hatch, what a coincidence! I have another one that's constantly challenging him but keeps on losing that might be a roo.

Three pullets will go to my colleague for their forever home, while the others will go to the farm. However, people from the farm have just told me that we might not be able to keep the roosters
Now I'm looking for alternatives, does anyone have any experience with caponizing chickens?

 

[aart]

This one looks like a roo, doesn't it?

Absolutely!

chin skin

This cracked me up!

Now I'm looking for alternatives, does anyone have any experience with caponizing chickens?

Good luck with that, stew would be easier.
Some folks still do it, but few are here on this forum.
Highly controversial, here's some threads about it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/81313644/?q=caponizing&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

 

[Theblackpukeko]

@aart thanks! Gonna look into it.

I was just a bit surprised because while researching I read that most chickens aren't this early with showing roo signs and I wasn't expecting this much development for another two weeks. They all have small combs, but I'm hoping to have more pullets than roos. I'm really attached to them and kinda don't want to kill them. That's why I'm considering it...

This cracked me up!

I wasn't sure what it was called

 

[aart]

I was just a bit surprised because while researching I read that most chickens aren't this early with showing roo signs and I wasn't expecting this much development for another two weeks. They all have small combs, but I'm hoping to have more pullets than roos. I'm really attached to them and kinda don't want to kill them. That's why I'm considering it...

I wasn't sure what it was called :gig

It is pretty early, but it happens.
I had a cockerel chick 'crow' at one week old this year...he had no comb or wattle(chin skin) growth.

 

[WVduckchick]

The toes on the pukeko are amazing!!

I’d have to say that one chick is definitely male. That’s a lot of comb and wattles. My seramas and bantam cochins usually pop out around 3-4 weeks, sometimes even sooner, so it’s a pretty good bet you have a cockerel to decide on.


Chin skin.... I have to steal that, hope you don’t mind.

 

[Theblackpukeko]

Alright, so first things first: here is your newest photo of beautiful Tahi, who is now half a kg!

Forget that little smudge from yesterday. She looks so mature now...
Here's the roo.

Yep, definitely looks like one now!
Here a few pictures of the other chicks. Excited to hear your opinion, please tell me they're not roosters... is it normal to be this size now?

There's one more but I only got blurry pictures. She has no comb at all yet.

 

[Quailobsessed]

SOOO CUTE!!! Looks like you have some girls there. The first is the most obvious male, he's so cute! He reminds me of a chick my sister rescued out of a bin from the hatchery she works at.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Also love your pukeko (purple swamphen). They do have hilariously long toes. I can't believe how big Tahi is getting!

 

[aart]

Blue feathers on the pukekos breast are beautiful!

How old are the other chicks?
Any chin skin, especially if it's reddish, at 4-6 weeks says male, IMO.