What gender?

[Chicken_Enthusiast]

Here is my 8 week old California White. Struggling to tell their gender. My mom insists that she is a pullet. But since the beginning I’ve suspected that they could be a cockerel. What do you guys think?

 

[Brystal]

I live in VA, so similar weather. You may get a couple that start laying this year. Odds are that most may not lay until spring. Time will tell. All chickens are different and mature at their own rate.

Ok, sorry to bug you. Thank you for all the info I appreciate it. I am a young girl just trying to learn more so thank you!

 

[nuthatched]

That's an awful red comb for 8 weeks for a pullet, I'd say cockerel.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Here was my california white at 8 weeks. She's definitely a girl. Laying now. Her comb is so big it flops over now. Yours is bigger than mine but I would wait and see because they seem to be a little tricky.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Does that mean she is a boy?

Yes, yours is a boy. Only way to get a 100% girl is to buy sexlinks or older birds. No chick is 100% accurate on sex.

 

[Painted Calls]

Because I paid for all girls and I just wanted layers?

Yes. A cockerel is a male chicken that is under 1 year of age.

 

[Painted Calls]

So can I still eat an egg even if it’s fertilized? Also do I have to buy an incubator, because I wasn’t planning for chicks.

Yes. Many people eat fertilized eggs and don't even know it.

If you don't want chicks, don't buy an incubator. They are only used for incubating and then hatching chicks.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

Yes. Many people eat fertilized eggs and don't even know it.

If you don't want chicks, don't buy an incubator. They are only used for incubating and then hatching chicks.

Hey,thank you.
That was informative.

 

[Painted Calls]

Hey,thank you.
That was informative.

 

[Brystal]

Ok thank you. It’s crazy how the day I found out he is a rooster, he starts trying to mate with one of the girls.