Unexpected hatching - help!

[Theblackpukeko]

Looks like you have some girls there.

Yay, hopefully!

Any chin skin, especially if it's reddish, at 4-6 weeks says male, IMO.

Oh nooo! In these pics, three more have the chin skin and two have little lines there. So, only two have none which would leave me with six roos! They're at almost 5 weeks. It's a bit difficult because they all hatched in a row on different days... So some are actually 4 weeks and 5 days while the others are less and less, down to exactly four weeks. But development wise they are all very alike.

 

[Theblackpukeko]

The first is the most obvious male, he's so cute!

He's also super friendly and always comes up for food to my hand. He has no problem being picked up and is super chill when handled. Not scared at all, hasn't pecked at me once when I came too close to him and he didn't like it. He's a real sunshine!

 

[aart]

Oh nooo! In these pics, three more have the chin skin and two have little lines there.

I know, I'm sorry.
IME pullets show no chin skin at that age.

He's also super friendly and always comes up for food to my hand. He has no problem being picked up and is super chill when handled. Not scared at all, hasn't pecked at me once when I came too close to him and he didn't like it. He's a real sunshine!

Typical cockerel, they are usually the most 'friendly'.

 

[Kiki]

Alright, so first things first: here is your newest photo of beautiful Tahi, who is now half a kg!
View attachment 1964498
Forget that little smudge from yesterday. She looks so mature now...
Here's the roo. View attachment 1964503Yep, 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?
View attachment 1964505 View attachment 1964504 View attachment 1964506 View attachment 1964507 View attachment 1964509 View attachment 1964513
There's one more but I only got blurry pictures. She has no comb at all yet.

Lots of boys.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am pretty sure that caponisation became illegal here a couple of years back, unless done by a vet, @Theblackpukeko. I would definitely check the regulations first. There was a round of consultation on animal welfare, and the proposed fines were fairly hefty.

 

[Theblackpukeko]

I am pretty sure that caponisation became illegal here a couple of years back, unless done by a vet, @Theblackpukeko. I would definitely check the regulations first. There was a round of consultation on animal welfare, and the proposed fines were fairly hefty.

Oh I didn't know that! Thanks a lot! But I am going to contact a friend's vet next week anyway and see whether he'll do it.

 

[Theblackpukeko]

Hey guys! It has been two weeks, so I thought it might be time for a little update on my babies!

These are the two that I think are girls:

She doesn't have any chin skin, just a bit of a bigger comb. I'm praying... (just five minutes ago, I saw them in a state battle, the first girl won... do girls also fight with other girls? They are sometimes stare battling the roos as well, but not as often)

Here some of the roos (I'm still hoping one of them will be a surprise girl!):

This is big roo. No one can match him in comb size and redness. His chin skin is now wobbling with every step. And he always looks angry but he is really sweet and tame!

Honestly, his comb and saddles looks so small in real, that for a moment I considered him female. It is only in pictures that it looks this huge. I have no idea why, it's really not that big.

What do you guys think? Still roos? I'm afraid so. They're amazing tho and I'm still happy to have them.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Girls can and will fight each other.

 

[aart]

It has been two weeks, so I thought it might be time for a little update

Where's da Pukeko?

 

[Beeottfirst]

I have read every post and enjoyed all the comments and following development. Thanks for starting such an interesting thread.