When do saddle feathers for cockerels come in?

[Ryooki]

First time chicken owner. I’ve committed to only keeping 6 of my 10 chicks, and so I’m only keeping the nicest pullets. I’m monitoring all of them closely, and I’m watching their saddle feathers closely. They are 8-10.5 weeks old right now of 4 different breeds. I’m not seeing any obvious cockerel feathers. I’m going to be sad if the nicest, boldest ones end up being a male. Here’s a picture of her for reference, taken this morning when she hopped onto my lap. She’s 9.5 weeks old.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What breed are they?

 

[LikeTurkeys]

The bird pictured is a pullet. Saddle feathers usually start to emerge around 10-12 weeks, but it can vary some from bird to bird.

 

[Ryooki]

Yay! The one in the picture is a Black Cooper Marans. We also have Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Easter Eggers, and an Olive Egger.

So if I’m seeing saddle feathers now that look pullet like, I can guess that they are pullets?

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Yay! The one in the picture is a Black Cooper Marans. We also have Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Easter Eggers, and an Olive Egger.

So if I’m seeing saddle feathers now that look pullet like, I can guess that they are pullets?

It's a bit young to be sure, but you can look real close at any new pin feathers; that might give some insight. Right now, you can post pictures of some of your other birds. The comb and wattles are more likely to tell the story at this age.

By 12 weeks though, any cockerels in your flock should be pretty visible, both by comb+wattles and male specific feathering.