which is which?

warmblood · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:13 am

At what age should you be able to tell between a hen and a rooster? I have three new Isa Brown/Australian Games and Im still not sure if they are pullets. How is the best way to tell. Any help would help this amateur.

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi Warmblood, from 3-4 weeks there will be a difference in height, Cockerels have longer legs & the Comb will be more pronounced than the Pullet. If you post some Photos (close-ups) in the Gallery we should be able to help.

For day olds see: http://www.getphpbb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... cksaustral

Thanks
P.A :lol:

Jeff Trescott · **Posted:** Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:50 am

I can tell at 5 weeks in our RIR some times you can tell at 3 weeks as some are much taller

Jeff

jo-chicken · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:26 am

Hi there warmblood,

PA is right, generally it's the size and length of the comb, although this can be difficult is you have rosecomb type poultry in the parenting. So pick up you chicks and put them on some grass in an encosure you can see them in and sit and watch. The males will be more dominant and stand taller over the females, they will sometimes make descrete "comehere" sounds. when pecking at grain (even at an early age) now wave your hand over the top of them, the females will duck down under all the rest and the males will huddle but usually keep their heads up. The males will have more pronounced combs and their tails will sit more upright. If they are all the same breed and age then this should be possible to tell at 3-4 weeks and really obvious at 7-8 weeks. Next pick each chicken up separately and listen to what they say "sound they make". The males always have a deeper voice after about 4 weeks of age and the females make more noise and are sqawkier. Still can't tell? turn them up and gently put pressure either side of each ones vent "poo hole", the males have a "pink thing" (cone shaped I suppose) that will protrude if gentle pressure is applied. Females have a hole that goes off to the left. Still can't tell? You may have to be patient...

A pic would be good and we could probably tell you.

Jochicken

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