when can you tell if an EE is a boy?

[homemakerjulie]

When can you start to tell, I know they have the pea comb, and I have been reading about seeing three lines as a tell tell sign, when does that pop up? I have five little EE's, between 2 and 3 weeks old. There combs are more noticable, and I can see the three lines, but I don't know if it's just because they are about a week older than the other three, or if it's because they are boys. Trying to learn this myself so I don't have to ask you all every few days!

Thanks,
Julie

I did get a few pictures, just haven't loaded them up yet, was mostly just asking for general info.

 

[JulieNKC]

If their combs have 3 lines and are red, or if they start getting out of place splashes of red or brown on their shoulders they are boys. And post pics, lol. I couldn't tell if my own EE was a boy or girl, but am fairly accurate on everyone elses.

 

[Bravo]

Some people can color sex but I never have any luck with that early on.

I wait until they are 5 weeks old before I even start looking at them for gender purposes. By then, the boys have noticeably large and pink combs (and they are much easier to feather sex).

Occasionally I will have pullets with pink combs which lack size, or those without color in the comb but have 3 ridges.

Every now and again one stumps me so I keep it around longer until I know for sure.

 

[nurseshelly]

Quote:
Here's my girl that turned roo at 22 weeks old - stink! He's a pure Ameraucana, but you can see the comb.

 

[homemakerjulie]

Wow at 22 weeks! I don't mind the rooster, we are trying to find a few that'll get along and not want to kill us or the kids, only way to do that is trial an error, but I don't want to go seeking out MORE roosters if I already have like 6 little ones! And I know for sure I have 2 black sex link boys (suppose to be Ancona's! TSC doesn't know what they are doing!), and I am thinking maybe one BR roo, but they are just barely a week old, simply going by that one looks different than the others, and my son wanted a yellow rooster, and had heard that the Cochins were gentle, so I got 2 buff Cochins coming at the beginning of June. I think I have enough to get a good sample and find a few that'll do well with us and each other, hopefully!

That picture you shared, he's pretty though

, even if he is a little bugger for changing! Okay, I have pictures ready now to share.

not the best pictures, I think there isn't enough light in there. I'll get some more in better light, probably in a week or so when they are a tad older too.
first two are the same bird

Julie

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
Here's my girl that turned roo at 22 weeks old - stink! He's a pure Ameraucana, but you can see the comb.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/80800_photo_4.jpg

Do you have a pic of this bird at 5 weeks (or even a little older)?

 

[Cowgirl71]

I raised a batch of 37 straight run Easter Eggers this spring and have gotten pretty good at sexing them by color. When they're fully feathered (about 6-8 weeks) you can post pics and we can tell you based on color!

BTW, is anyone looking to buy some real pretty and docile Easter Egger roosters? If so, PM me.