Black Copper Marans...Cockerel or Pullet?

[lifeatserenityoaks]

I am new to chickens, and I recently received 2 Black Copper Marans as day old chicks. Around 5 weeks, I started to see a difference in one of my BCMs. S/he started to sprout a little pink comb and wattles, so I figured I must have a roo. Now at 9 weeks, I am back to think s/he might be a pullet after all.

From what I have read, BCMs can be challenging to definitely sex, so I am curious to get others' thoughts on him/her!

1 Day Old

6 Weeks Old

9 Weeks Old

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

I'm guessing pullet. So cute!!

 

[sean_wonder]

Hmm.. I personally want to say pullet, but the hackle feathers are a tad confusing. Saddle still seems round and no greenish tint from what I can see (though not sure if BCM are late to develop green tint and that's why hard to sex?)

Editing to add: Comb & wattles can be soooo deceiving. Had a hen who I was *convinced* was a boy all the way until she laid her first egg. Then had a roo who never developed spurs and had such a weak crow I thought "she" was choking on something

 

[wrathsfarm]

Pretty pullet....

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Pullet

 

[Rebechenson75]

Pullet

 

[fuzzymonkeez101]

For both black and blue copper marans you will know if it is a boy if you start to see some of the copper on their back/wings. But I agree, looks like a pullet so far. I only see copper around the neck

 

[lifeatserenityoaks]

Thank you all! I was a bit surprised when I looked at her this week and thought huh, maybe you're not a rooster. Now I feel bad I haven't named her!

I had read about the copper showing up on the back/wings for roosters. So far, both BCMs only have copper on their necks. From what I have seen in pictures on here, it seems that the extra copper shows up fairly early, too. Is that typical?

 

[wrathsfarm]

Thank you all! I was a bit surprised when I looked at her this week and thought huh, maybe you're not a rooster. Now I feel bad I haven't named her!

I had read about the copper showing up on the back/wings for roosters. So far, both BCMs only have copper on their necks. From what I have seen in pictures on here, it seems that the extra copper shows up fairly early, too. Is that typical?

In mine, they do. I don't want to make a blanket statement of all Marans lines but in my experience with my birds I can normally gender them by 2-3 weeks. The combs/wattles are much redder and bigger and copper is starting to appear much earlier than pullets.

Easter Sunday end of March hatch 2024

April 27th pic... By 4 weeks the combs are standing out and copper is appearing in my males.

Pic taken May 1st rougly 4 weeks old.

 

[fuzzymonkeez101]

Thank you all! I was a bit surprised when I looked at her this week and thought huh, maybe you're not a rooster. Now I feel bad I haven't named her!

I had read about the copper showing up on the back/wings for roosters. So far, both BCMs only have copper on their necks. From what I have seen in pictures on here, it seems that the extra copper shows up fairly early, too. Is that typical?

I agree with wrathsfarm, I wouldn't go so far as to say all of them do but in mine they have been pretty obvious by at least week 4