Want to learn how to figure out gender

[Elf2004]

I would like to be able to take educated guesses on genders of chicks. I have received lots of responses on my chicks with gender guesses but I would like to know why the guesses are made. I have this SLW. I was told a female when I purchased it from a local store. When I posted her on here everyone said cockerel. I know her comb and waddles are large (they started growing very early on), but what other things lean towards rooster?

 

[igorsMistress]

The easiest way to tell when they’re young is comb size and color. This can vary by age because they’re like kids and each bird matures at its own pace, but sometimes it’s easy to tell at a couple of weeks. Males will typically have larger combs which will darken much earlier than females. Females tend to have that Elizabethan hump toward the tail, and although their combs grow they don’t usually begin to redden up until they’re near point of lay. By that time you’ll definitely know who the cockerels are lol. Straight combs are the easiest, other types can be difficult and keep even the best of us guessing.

Hope that helps.
ETA in this pic look at the combs and the big difference in color and size. Are these birds the same age?

 

[Cynthia12]

That looks like a girl to me. Pretty bird.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Males will feather out slower. But there combs will get bigger and redder than a female. Also some breeds have female specific patterns not SLW though. Here is a picture of my SLW at 8 weeks. See the combs difference. Bit also at 12 eeeks saddle feathers start coming in.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

That looks like a girl to me. Pretty bird.

No it is definitely not a girl. Its comb is way to big. Here is a picture that might help you tell gender to.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Slw roosters have black necks not laced like pullets would

 

[Elf2004]

The easiest way to tell when they’re young is comb size and color. This can vary by age because they’re like kids and each bird matures at its own pace, but sometimes it’s easy to tell at a couple of weeks. Males will typically have larger combs which will darken much earlier than females. Females tend to have that Elizabethan hump toward the tail, and although their combs grow they don’t usually begin to redden up until they’re near point of lay. By that time you’ll definitely know who the cockerels are lol. Straight combs are the easiest, other types can be difficult and keep even the best of us guessing.

Hope that helps.
ETA in this pic look at the combs and the big difference in color and size. Are these birds the same age?
View attachment 3142618

The SLW is actually one week younger than the other.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

He's a cockerel

 

[igorsMistress]

The SLW is actually one week younger than the other.

There you go. In my experience the comb is usually the earliest indicator of sex. You won’t see the feather traits until they’ve grown more, particularly saddle feathers in cockerels. Sometimes feather pattern can trick the eye for hackles.

 

[NatJ]

Slw roosters have black necks not laced like pullets would

Why do you say that?

I find plenty of Silver Laced Wyandotte roosters pictured online with black-and-white patterning on their necks. It may not be quite like the lacing on the hens, but it clearly has both colors present. Here are a few examples:

McMurray hatchery:
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/silver_laced_wyandottes.html

Cackle hatchery:
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/black-laced-silver-wyandottes/
(lots of photos there)
Cackle hatchery again, these ones described as "exhibition type":
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/black-laced-silver-wyandotte-chicken-show-type/