When can you be sure?

[SemiSweet2391]

I’m new to chickens and I’m just wondering at what age you can be sure if you’ve got a pullet or a cockerel? Does it depend on breed? Thank you

 

[GlicksChicks]

It really does depend on the breed and comb type. For some game roosters, you can tell pretty early on because male coloring is drastically different from female coloring.

And for single comb chickens, like Buff Orpingtons, it is alot easier to tell the gender prettt early on. But breeds with things like rose combs, oeacombs, walnut combs, etc., like Americanas, are not as easy to identify when they are younger.

Depending on the breed, you may know by 8 weeks. Some you have to wait much longer until they get their male specific feathering in.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

It really does depend on the breed and comb type. For some game roosters, you can tell pretty early on because male coloring is drastically different from female coloring.

And for single comb chickens, like Buff Orpingtons, it is alot easier to tell the gender prettt early on. But breeds with things like rose combs, oeacombs, walnut combs, etc., like Americanas, are not as easy to identify when they are younger.

Depending on the breed, you may know by 8 weeks. Some you have to wait much longer until they get their male specific feathering in.

Ok, thanks! I do have some Americanas. Also RIR and White Polish! I got them from Murray McMurray Hatchery 3 weeks ago so they are still little. I was just curious!

 

[GlicksChicks]

Ok, thanks! I do have some Americanas. Also RIR and White Polish! I got them from Murray McMurray Hatchery 3 weeks ago so they are still little. I was just curious!

For the Americanas (Which could actually be EE because some hatcheries sell EE under that name), just keep an eye out for their comb area getting red faster than any of your other Americanas. Their combs don't grow as fast, but they do get red faster.

As for the RIR, it should be very easy to tell because of the single comb.

I don't know much about Polish, but I would think it would be somewhat like the Americanas.