Red Splotches on Easter Eggers

[Dreammaker]

Hi! I've seen a few threads here and there that discuss how random red splotches, particularly on the shoulders, indicate that an EE is male. Why is this? What causes it?

Would anyone like to weigh in on whether this appears to be the case with my bird? "She" is only 3 weeks old and has some brownish-red spots. Not sure if this qualifies as red. She is very active, hence the not-great pictures.

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

It's male specific feathering along with pointy hackle and saddle feathers. Really too early to tell on your chick.

 

[Dreammaker]

It's male specific feathering along with pointy hackle and saddle feathers. Really too early to tell on your chick.

Thanks. Yes, I'm being very impatient haha I'm thinking the reddish coloring I'm seeing is just part of her overall pattern, but it do find it really odd and fascinating that red coloration in certain spots can be a male trait for EEs. Is it just testosterone-related? Learning new things about chickens every day.

 

[sourland]

It's all in the DNA.

 

[IvyBeans]

That happened to mine last year about 3 weeks, a week later his comb was quite a bit bigger and it was clear the red rust spots were shoulders only, not overall pattern. You’ll have a better clue next week.