Easter Egger Sexing "tips and tricks" *Pictures Included*

[got chicken]

I have two EE and one of them I could tell imediately because it had a lighter head color compared to the hen. But it was with the hens when I bought it. So it was hard to tell. You will especially know when it is older because it crows, of course.

 

[10whiskers]

Those are definitely pullets. Lots of things can delay the start of laying, but it's all comes down to when the hormones start flowing. This time of year, with decreasing sunlight, it will take longer, but it will happen. Also, most go through a molt around this time, and energy is spent replacing lost feathers. 26 weeks is not unusual at all, but we hear less about it because no one brags about it!

Joonie should start in a couple of weeks or so. Put out some free choice crushed oyster shell so she can increase her calcium as needed. Don't start layer feed until after they all start laying.

Keep us posted!

Well, no eggs yet. I went back to the store where I bought Ginger, Joonie, and Liza and bought their cage-mates? They are supposed to be the same age as the first three girls. Though I don't think you can tell in the picture I took today of the six, they are molting. I don't think they are going through a full molt? But feathers are everywhere.

The thing I was wondering is, see how small Gilda is compared to say Joonie (who is also not standing)? Well, she is so small compared to the rest, she is either a runt or a Bantam? Do you think Gilda is a Bantam or just a runt? What is the difference between a full sized chicken and a Bantam? Yesterday, Gilda got pecked around the eyes and I'm scared for her. All six have been together for about 2 1/2 weeks. Do you think they will ever accept her?

 

[bruceha2000]

Well, no eggs yet. I went back to the store where I bought Ginger, Joonie, and Liza and bought their cage-mates? They are supposed to be the same age as the first three girls. Though I don't think you can tell in the picture I took today of the six, they are molting. I don't think they are going through a full molt? But feathers are everywhere.

The thing I was wondering is, see how small Gilda is compared to say Joonie (who is also not standing)? Well, she is so small compared to the rest, she is either a runt or a Bantam? Do you think Gilda is a Bantam or just a runt? What is the difference between a full sized chicken and a Bantam? Yesterday, Gilda got pecked around the eyes and I'm scared for her. All six have been together for about 2 1/2 weeks. Do you think they will ever accept her?

No idea but I'd be switching those 2x2s out for 2x4s on the flat ASAP. Or just screw 2x4s onto the 2x2s. Look at the poor chickens' feet.

At 26 weeks I don't think you'll see a full moult. My EE is 2.5 years and moulting now. She is missing probably 75% of her outer feathers, lots of gray fluff sticking out. She laid her first egg right at 26 weeks.

 

[sharol]

No idea but I'd be switching those 2x2s out for 2x4s on the flat ASAP. Or just screw 2x4s onto the 2x2s. Look at the poor chickens' feet.

I would agree on the 1x4s. Chickens don't grip around a roost like other birds. They like to sit flat on their feet (it keeps them warm in winter, too). the 3.5" width of the 2x4 is just right for my medium sized birds (EE's) as well as the larger Welsumer and Deleware.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Quote: All the lost feathers are showing a partial molt, which I thought I noticed before. They can't grow feathers and lay eggs at the same time. You can increase the protein in their diet a bit to help the process along. (You should also be checking for mites, just in case!) Adding new birds together will cause more stress for them too, and stress causes more delays. Right now, only Joonie and Lovey look a little pink in the comb (but it's hard to tell in the pic). They will be bright red before they are ready to lay. Honestly I'm not sure, but at this time of year, given the feather loss, I think you may have to wait until after the end of December, when the days start to lengthen again before you can expect eggs. (Hopefully it will be sooner!)

Gilda may just be petite or she may be younger. Doesn't look like a bantam. There will always be someone at the bottom of the pecking order, so if not Gilda, then someone else. They haven't been together long, so they may still be working things out. If they draw blood on Gilda, you will need to intervene and remove her. Blood will turn them into piranhas, and it can get really bad. Gilda will learn to move away fast or fight back. Watch to see that she is getting enough food and water. Her crop should be full at night. Putting some distractions in the coop can help keep unwanted attention away from Gilda. Try hanging a head of cabbage or a bundle of kale leaves for them. It will give them something to peck at besides poor Gilda's eyes. An old chair or a nice big stump can provide places for her to avoid trouble.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Dianne88]

7/8 week old EE, Pullet or Cockerel?

 

[10whiskers]

All the lost feathers are showing a partial molt, which I thought I noticed before. They can't grow feathers and lay eggs at the same time. You can increase the protein in their diet a bit to help the process along. (You should also be checking for mites, just in case!) Adding new birds together will cause more stress for them too, and stress causes more delays. Right now, only Joonie and Lovey look a little pink in the comb (but it's hard to tell in the pic). They will be bright red before they are ready to lay. Honestly I'm not sure, but at this time of year, given the feather loss, I think you may have to wait until after the end of December, when the days start to lengthen again before you can expect eggs. (Hopefully it will be sooner!)

Gilda may just be petite or she may be younger. Doesn't look like a bantam. There will always be someone at the bottom of the pecking order, so if not Gilda, then someone else. They haven't been together long, so they may still be working things out. If they draw blood on Gilda, you will need to intervene and remove her. Blood will turn them into piranhas, and it can get really bad. Gilda will learn to move away fast or fight back. Watch to see that she is getting enough food and water. Her crop should be full at night. Putting some distractions in the coop can help keep unwanted attention away from Gilda. Try hanging a head of cabbage or a bundle of kale leaves for them. It will give them something to peck at besides poor Gilda's eyes. An old chair or a nice big stump can provide places for her to avoid trouble.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thanks, bruceha2000 and sharol. I've been meaning to change those to flat-way 2x4's, but just yesterday, I saw a better way to control the poop board splash and possible egg breakage (when they start laying), but it will get done asap.

Wishing4Wings, When looking at pictures, it was actually four days ago I noticed blood and then scabs. I have just the thing for Gilda to escape into. I'll modify it and put it in the coop tomorrow. Since I didn't see it happen, she might have injured herself. I damaged the mesh covering one of the Jalousie windows and just fixed it today. Who knows, but Gilda still needs a sure thing she can escape into anyway. I'm not saying the new girls haven't been adjusting, but Gilda is so small it's almost a given with her non-aggressive personality.

Also, along with the scabs on Gilda, I noticed (on the same eye) a thickish layer covering her inner eye. She might have had that when I got her, but along with the scabs, it sort of reminded me of Fowl Pox?.
Picture of Gilda's scab. There is one on ther comb, too. (I should have cropped this. I don't know how to substitute this pic, either)


I'll be monitoring her very closely. I haven't treated for mites or worms. I really don't know how to when I think of how the girls don't want to be held or touched. I did actually pick up Joonie a few days ago, but during her struggle to get away from me, I felt these really prickly things on her neck and let her down immediately. I was thinking they must be from molting and are probably painful at this point. Any suggestions for effective, but quickly applied medication?

If I modify the roost, there won't be four roosting bars anymore. I will be taking away a source of entertainment. Except for Gilda, the others seem to use them as a jungle-gym. They run up to about the second or third bar and wait until an unsuspecting victim passes below, then jump down right in front of the victim and they run around in circles until the victim or the winner goes up to do it to another. It's quite funny to me, but it might even be the cause of Gilda's injury, too. So, your idea about the cabbage and kale is a good idea.

Is there a picture somewhere as to how to hang this? I only hang the feeder in an out of the way place, because they all fly and I'm afraid of too many things they might fly into. I keep the water full and sitting on a cinder block just so there is only one thing hanging.

 

[bruceha2000]

Thanks, bruceha2000 and sharol. I've been meaning to change those to flat-way 2x4's, but just yesterday, I saw a better way to control the poop board splash and possible egg breakage (when they start laying), but it will get done asap.

Wishing4Wings, When looking at pictures, it was actually four days ago I noticed blood and then scabs. I have just the thing for Gilda to escape into. I'll modify it and put it in the coop tomorrow. Since I didn't see it happen, she might have injured herself. I damaged the mesh covering one of the Jalousie windows and just fixed it today. Who knows, but Gilda still needs a sure thing she can escape into anyway. I'm not saying the new girls haven't been adjusting, but Gilda is so small it's almost a given with her non-aggressive personality.

Also, along with the scabs on Gilda, I noticed (on the same eye) a thickish layer covering her inner eye. She might have had that when I got her, but along with the scabs, it sort of reminded me of Fowl Pox?.
Picture of Gilda's scab. There is one on ther comb, too. (I should have cropped this. I don't know how to substitute this pic, either)


I'll be monitoring her very closely. I haven't treated for mites or worms. I really don't know how to when I think of how the girls don't want to be held or touched. I did actually pick up Joonie a few days ago, but during her struggle to get away from me, I felt these really prickly things on her neck and let her down immediately. I was thinking they must be from molting and are probably painful at this point. Any suggestions for effective, but quickly applied medication?

If I modify the roost, there won't be four roosting bars anymore. I will be taking away a source of entertainment. Except for Gilda, the others seem to use them as a jungle-gym. They run up to about the second or third bar and wait until an unsuspecting victim passes below, then jump down right in front of the victim and they run around in circles until the victim or the winner goes up to do it to another. It's quite funny to me, but it might even be the cause of Gilda's injury, too. So, your idea about the cabbage and kale is a good idea.

Is there a picture somewhere as to how to hang this? I only hang the feeder in an out of the way place, because they all fly and I'm afraid of too many things they might fly into. I keep the water full and sitting on a cinder block just so there is only one thing hanging.

Why would putting 2x4s on top of the 2x2s reduce the number of roosts?

Pretty cool your chickens "play". Mine never exhibit any "personal interaction" other than pecking order "reminders". Other than that they go about their chicken business singly or in groups.

Chickens do seem to be able to recover from cuts pretty well, even without treatment as long as it doesn't get infected. As far as treating them for anything, or even just a "check over by feel" what I have read repeatedly is to wait until night when it is dark and they are up on the roost. They see very poorly in the dark and won't make so much fuss when you pick them up.

 

[Xiao Casa]

7/8 week old EE, Pullet or Cockerel?

I'm guessing pullet, based on the nice, even coloring. She looks a great deal like one of my girls:

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Thanks, bruceha2000 and sharol. I've been meaning to change those to flat-way 2x4's, but just yesterday, I saw a better way to control the poop board splash and possible egg breakage (when they start laying), but it will get done asap.

Wishing4Wings, When looking at pictures, it was actually four days ago I noticed blood and then scabs. I have just the thing for Gilda to escape into. I'll modify it and put it in the coop tomorrow. Since I didn't see it happen, she might have injured herself. I damaged the mesh covering one of the Jalousie windows and just fixed it today. Who knows, but Gilda still needs a sure thing she can escape into anyway. I'm not saying the new girls haven't been adjusting, but Gilda is so small it's almost a given with her non-aggressive personality.

Also, along with the scabs on Gilda, I noticed (on the same eye) a thickish layer covering her inner eye. She might have had that when I got her, but along with the scabs, it sort of reminded me of Fowl Pox?.
Picture of Gilda's scab. There is one on ther comb, too. (I should have cropped this. I don't know how to substitute this pic, either)


I'll be monitoring her very closely. I haven't treated for mites or worms. I really don't know how to when I think of how the girls don't want to be held or touched. I did actually pick up Joonie a few days ago, but during her struggle to get away from me, I felt these really prickly things on her neck and let her down immediately. I was thinking they must be from molting and are probably painful at this point. Any suggestions for effective, but quickly applied medication?

If I modify the roost, there won't be four roosting bars anymore. I will be taking away a source of entertainment. Except for Gilda, the others seem to use them as a jungle-gym. They run up to about the second or third bar and wait until an unsuspecting victim passes below, then jump down right in front of the victim and they run around in circles until the victim or the winner goes up to do it to another. It's quite funny to me, but it might even be the cause of Gilda's injury, too. So, your idea about the cabbage and kale is a good idea.

Is there a picture somewhere as to how to hang this? I only hang the feeder in an out of the way place, because they all fly and I'm afraid of too many things they might fly into. I keep the water full and sitting on a cinder block just so there is only one thing hanging.

If these pullets are from a hatchery and have been mostly caged, you probably don't need to worry about worms yet, unless you see some symptoms. I wouldn't treat for mites unless I saw some on them or signs that they have them. Do you have a place for them to dust bathe? Mostly they will take care of themselves by bathing, but it's always a good idea to check regularly for mites. The prickly things on Joonie's neck were probably some pin feathers coming in. They look like porcupine quills.

I have never seen fowl pox except in pictures, but from what I can see, Gilda's spots look more like injuries. (You'll know if the rest get fowl pox.) They can heal from terrible things, as long as there's no infection. Watch her closely because, like all birds, chickens mask their illness from the flock, so by the time we usually notice, they are pretty bad off. If she looks to be getting worse, you should post about her in the medical/emergencies forum. There are some really knowledgeable people who check in there frequently.

Hanging the cabbage: I use a skewer to poke a hole through the cabbage and then push a wire through. I usually use ½ a cabbage at a time. Twist the wire ends together and hang by a cord from a rafter. There are probably other ways to do it, but this worked for for me. It takes them longer to eat it this way because it swings when they peck at it. Kale leaves can just be thrown in too, and it will take them some time to figure out how to rip pieces off. The bigger/older they get, the less they tend to fly, so I have never had problems with them flying into a cord. (Also, they need access to pebbles/grit to digest anything other than crumbles/pellets.) I love watching them play like that. My EEs used to play chicken-bomber when they were in the brooder, as soon as the wing feathers came in. The other chicks didn't know what hit them!

As Bruce said, after dark is a good time to do health checks or administer meds. Chickens have very poor night vision. It helps if someone can hold a flashlight for you.

As for the roosts, you could change out the top two where they will be sleeping, and leave the others. Those brackets you are using can fit a 2x4, you'll just have to rotate it to make them flat.

Hope Gilda gets better and grows some!