BBS Ameraucana Gender help - 14weeks

[ourpetite]

Hi! First post
I would love help gender id'ing these four bbs ameraucanas. They are 14 weeks.

I think everyone but 3 is a cockerel.

Also - does anyone know when they'll start showing their voices? Thank you so much for your time, and apologies for the post-snow melting health of their run. It was cleaned today after these photos.

 

[JedJackson]

I think they are all pullets. At 14 weeks I would expect to see male specific feathering on cockerels, and I see none.

If by voice you mean crowing, that can happen early or late, depending on a lot of factors.

 

[JedJackson]

At what age did their combs become reddish? If it was early on, then they could be cockerels. Especially #1, who has a really wide comb. But their color seems even and they lack male feather, which should start coming in by 12 weeks. I'm a little perplexed by its absence.

 

[ourpetite]

Thank you so much for replying!

This was three of them them a month ago - much less red combs at 9 weeks. This breed is confusing me so much! I was hoping to know more clearly what they are by now - and I keep going back and forth.

 

[Silkie Princess]

If by voice you mean crowing, that can happen early or late, depending on a lot of factors.

I think the OP meant that when will they stop chirping

 

[ourpetite]

I think the OP meant that when will they stop chirping

You're correct - I meant both! So far in my novice chicken life I have noticed that both genders kinda find their young adult and then full grown voices - Roos are definitely more obvious but the ladies get a distinct sound too! But this is only my second set of chicks so I'm still learning so much.

 

[JedJackson]

I'm seeing mixed signals, so wait for a consensus when more people chime in. It may be necessary to wait a little longer.

 

[ourpetite]

I'm seeing mixed signals, so wait for a consensus when more people chime in. It may be necessary to wait a little longer.

Hi Jed! How long will I need to wait do you think? If they are 14 weeks, I know I would find out by the time they start laying (most likely sometime in March) - but will I know a cockerel before that in this breed?

 

[willchickeneat]

They look like all boys to me, based on the height/shape of the tail and hackle. The combs are nice and tight, but the pullet's combs don't turn red at 14 weeks. They literally don't turn red until they start squatting and are 1 week out from laying.

As for crowing, ask the person you got the chicks/eggs from.

I've had some not crow until like 8 months. Some at 6 months. I have found easter eggers to start crowing as early as 6-8 weeks, but if they are true pure bred, they usually feather out really well before they start crowing.

Throw a full size hen in there with your boys. If they are boys, they'll have to fight for dominance or get pecked. The boys get squirelly in voice when attacked. If they are pullet, if they are pecked, it's nothing like a grown hen pecking young cockerals to show them whose boss. It's like telling them, hell no you ain't getting this ass!

 

[-Flash-]

I think cockerels. @TheOddOneOut