Suspicious Olive Egger

[WingItRanch]

I've been keeping an eye on this little one from 1 day old based on its personality. Very bold and outgoing. I'm pretty sure he's a cockerel now that he's feathered out but would love other opinions.

7.5 weeks old
Olive Egger from Ideal (Welsummer/EE mix, I believe)
Supposedly vent sexed at birth as female but we all know that's not 100% accurate.

I do have another one of the same breed and age if you need a comparison.

 

[WingItRanch]

@JedJackson
@AinaWGSD

 

[TicaCielo]

I don't know but sure is pretty. Looking forward to what everyone else says.

 

[JedJackson]

The comb is a little more developed than usual for a pullet of that age, but I do think it's a female. That coloring, especially the rusty colored breast feathers, are female specific in most cases. So I would give it time. If the comb doesn't go through a growth spurt in the next few weeks then you're safe.

 

[AinaWGSD]

@WingItRanch thanks for the tag! Vent sexing may not be 100%accurate, but that looks like female specific coloration to me.

I would expect the breast to be black, or at least darker. If you don't see significant reddening of the comb or rusty colored patches coming in on the shoulders within the next week I'd say it's definitely female.

 

[MROO]

I'm with @JedJackson on this one. Your chick has a lot of red, but not much in the comb yet and no sign of red "shoulder pads." Fingers crossed, it looks like you've got a boss-hen in the making!

 

[WingItRanch]

Thanks everyone! I knew about the salmon coloring breast indicating female but being a mix, I wasn't sure if it would translate. I will update in a few weeks. It surprised me when the head darkened and thought maybe that was a sign. Plus, that comb pinkening up!

 

[MROO]

Thanks everyone! I knew about the salmon coloring breast indicating female but being a mix, I wasn't sure if it would translate. I will update in a few weeks. It surprised me when the head darkened and thought maybe that was a sign. Plus, that comb pinkening up!

Keep an eye on that comb. When it gets really pink/red, start looking for eggs!

 

[WingItRanch]

Keep an eye on that comb. When it gets really pink/red, start looking for eggs!

Haha I think I have quite a long time before eggs. Right now they're still in their grow out pen awaiting integration with the hens. My brood last year didn't lay until 28 weeks old! The wait for the first egg was torture..

 

[MROO]

Haha I think I have quite a long time before eggs. Right now they're still in their grow out pen awaiting integration with the hens. My brood last year didn't lay until 28 weeks old! The wait for the first egg was torture..

Maybe she's just an over-achiever!