what breed?

[BreanneRN]

Here is a link to a you-tube video explaining some early subtle differences in male and female chicks... You'll note that the 1st one resembles yours a bit... Let me know what you think...

Still, they can always surprise you...

 

[Kaki1]

No worries, didn't take out the tree the EE's roost in, but several dead hybrid poplars that apparently the roots rotted out. They died when the well failed several years ago, but I had been trying to kill those trees for years before that finally killed them. They had invaded my water pipes which they were planted over and under my phone lines, which was a major mistake of the previous owner... So glad they are gone, will never take out my phone line and water again! Well we will know for sure as to the sex of your bird in a few weeks, so far no reddening in the comb, which is the early sign of a cockerel. If that doesn't happen by 6 weeks, you most likely have an alpha pullet... I like the coloring too, very typical of EE hens, by the way. A very beautiful bird. It is said that birds of a feather flock together, so maybe that is why the bond with Noodle (does she have the same hatching project origin?). Look forward to another update in a week or so!

Haha, well that's a happy accident!
The chicks are officially a month old today, and are definitely in their awkward ugly stage (especially Noodle, she looks like a turkey vulture). Unfortunately last week two of my hens didn't make it into the coop at night and something (either a cat, fox, or owl we think) got them. Although they were our mean girls (who hated chicks), it was very traumatic as we rescued one of them from an abusive farm and the other was our first that we raised from a chick. On the bright side, there's now room in the coop for all four of our current babies as long as they're hens (my coop can only hold six and now we're down to two remaining hens). My dog has been very protective of them since the slaughter and won't leave their sides when they're out in the yard.
Daquan and Noodle are from the same embryology class, as well as two other chicks who I was told were RIRs (they are DEFINITELY not). My ISA Brown hen has come to hate one of them, and will come over to pick on only him/her for no apparent reason. Could this be a sign that it's a cockerel? Its comb has gotten very large and it's a very energetic chick...
As for Daquan, not much has changed. His tail has practically doubled in size over the past few days, but that's about it. He definitely has a different shape than the other chicks, though. He is elongated but still somehow heavier-set, but that could be just the breed.
Thanks for the video as well. I've seen something like that, but I had read that the wing technique only worked when they were less than 48 hours old?

 

[BreanneRN]

Well, I think they are really cute, comb development is what you will expect to see as far as sexing them in the next 2 weeks. So your supposed RIR may well be turning into a roo, don't see anything to indicate that Daquan and Noodle are anything but growing pullets, and it is nice that they are friends. That sturdy upright build is a Brahma characteristic, my Brahma/EE crosses are like that, too, but all are laying eggs, now. So, once again, we will wait and see, looking good so far! And thanks for the update!

 

[Kaki1]

Well, I think they are really cute, comb development is what you will expect to see as far as sexing them in the next 2 weeks. So your supposed RIR may well be turning into a roo, don't see anything to indicate that Daquan and Noodle are anything but growing pullets, and it is nice that they are friends. That sturdy upright build is a Brahma characteristic, my Brahma/EE crosses are like that, too, but all are laying eggs, now. So, once again, we will wait and see, looking good so far! And thanks for the update!

The chicks are officially six weeks, and Daquan is the palest/has the least comb development of them all! I think out of the four babies, only one (one of the "RIR"s, named Thumb—really long story) is a roo. Luckily I think it's safe to say that little Daquan is a pullet, which is good because I've really come to like her and would be heartbroken if we have to give her up. I've started trying to teach them their names, but only one has really caught on .
My next challenge is transitioning them into coop life. My BO is usually very sweet, but gets really territorial when it comes to the coop and under the bird feeder. The babies outnumber my adults right now though, and they've been standing up for themselves lately, so I'm hoping for a relatively smooth transition.
Thanks for all the help the past few weeks, really appreciate it!

 

[BreanneRN]

Well, mostly what you see at 6 wks is reddening of the comb and wattles, from now on they will start to grow redder and bigger if you have a young rooster. Hopefully, they will be hens. Otherwise, if they have all pinked up, you could have all roosters. It is summer and warm weather can cause reddening in the comb as well. I am hoping you have hens, too, especially if you will have to rehome roosters. Daquan is a beautiful bird. Since these are mostly a barnyard mix, or at least not the same breed, comparison in development of comb and wattles is not going to be really reliable. In addition to increased reddening and more development of the comb you will now be looking for pointed hackle and saddle feathers coming in as the birds develop adult feathering. Sexing of genetically mixed birds can be challenging. But at 6 wks, you look for redness. That is the tell tale sign at this age. If the birds start making funny croaking noises that could be beginning crowing. I am hoping for the best... They are all beautiful birds. We'll give it another few weeks, I think. And thanks for the update!