What's the earliest you've seen a cockeral show his "color?"

[heybarb]

We had a broody Easter Egger in May and gave her 8 eggs from our mixed flock. Our rooster is a Black Jersey Giant and she was able to hatch 4 chicks the first week of June. They are really cute, mostly black, and have grown fast. At 4 weeks old, one of the chicks is already getting a red comb and waddles. That seems so early! So I guess, that's my question, is it early? What's the earliest you've seen a cockeral show his color?

 

[Ridgerunner]

If they hatched the first week of June then they are closer to six weeks old than four.

Chicks can vary a lot as to when you can sex them and how. Occasionally I can tell that a specific chick is a male right after hatch based on posture and legs but that is fairly rare. I can’t tell that one is definitely a pullet then, just occasionally that one is a cockerel.

When you can tell by the comb will vary a lot too. Single combs are usually easier than most other combs. Some just develop a lot earlier than others. I don’t know the earliest I’ve ever been able to tell by comb color. Normally I can tell with my single combed chicks at five weeks, occasionally a little earlier. Some I haven’t been sure of by 12 weeks. Each chick develops at its own pace.

I don’t just go by comb and wattles color either. It’s a combination of things, leg size, posture, and conformation as well as comb and wattles. It’s certainly not an exact science, but even if yours really are only four weeks old it is certainly possible one could be showing sex by comb and wattles color and size.

 

[heybarb]

You are correct in that they are between 6 and 7 weeks old now, but it was right around July 4th when I noticed that one was clearly turning "red" in the face compared to the others. I just haven't had an opportunity to ask my question until now. It's just funny how every chick is so different, in personality and development. We've been chicken keepers for 3 years and it's so entertaining. I think my favorite part is listening to new cockerals learn to crow. It's hilarious!!