when can I tell my CX pullets from cockerels?

[OHSpartan]

I have 2.5 wk-old CX's. When and how will I be able to tell the boys from girls?

 

[Lexiluke]

Mine are now 3 1/2 weeks old and it is very noticable. I was somewhat sure at 3 weeks but those extra few days helped dramatically.

 

[xC0000005]

I could easily tell by three weeks, and by 3.5 there was no doubt what so ever. The thing is I kept track, and the ones I thought were pullets at 2 weeks turned out to be. The boys were always larger. Then again this was my first time to be certain that I had day olds, so it's possible I had nearly 1 week olds last time.

 

[OHSpartan]

So is size the only thing that makes the difference? I thought maybe the extra toenail might be a give-away, but my 3 largest and my 3 smallest each seemed to have a little nub on their heel. Likewise, a few of my smallest seem to have big combs; a few of my biggest seem not to. I guess I will check back in a week or two. They are just now starting to get their feathers.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Your pullets will develop wing and tail feathers before the cockerels. At this point I think some of my pullets are a lot larger than some of the cockerels. The spur is not a good indicator as pullets can also have them. The cockerels will develop their combs and wattles faster than the pullets too.

 

[Beekissed]

I thought I could tell one from the other on these birds right up until I processed for the first time...and found some testicles in the birds with no comb or wattles and an ovary or two in some that did. Size wasn't an indicator either. I'm still mystified, to tell the truth. They all seem to have tiny spurs and they all seem to do the rooster fighting. With their shape and heavy breasts, it is hard to tell by their stance and how they walk and you really can't tell by their feather development either.