Last Exchequer Leghorn Sexing, Honest!

[smudger28]

Hi Guys

So far you have been a massive help in identifying my Exch Legs. I have one more which I think could be a hen..... I've heard an old wives tale where the comb flops over near the POL on pullets. However this one has flopped at 13 weeks? Old wife or a small amount of truth?

Thanks guys (please be a hen)

 

[chrismahon]

Leghorns have a double breed standard Smudger. A daft notion but that's the way it has evolved in England. Pullet's combs are mean't to flop over (without obscuring forward vision). Cockerels are meant to stay upright. So to breed both hens and cockerels you need different breeding sets. So if you are breeding pullets the cockerels combs need to fall over as well. So if your bird has a comb falling over it means nothing. Our young cockerels have falling combs at 10 weeks. They were crowing at 4 weeks.

That's a big comb and tail for a 13 week old hen. Its a small comb and tail for a 13 week old cockerel. Still can't decide Smudger. 60:40 its a late developing cockerel. Have you checked the size of its vent. At that age cockerels are much smaller than hens. We have an accidental Orpingdotte (Orp x Wyandotte). Hoping at ten weeks it's a hen, but despite the little feet, comb and wattle, the tail is lifting and the vent is tiny.

 

[smudger28]

Thanks Chrism

I will have to have a peek at the vent but I'm no expert in that area.... ;-)

 

[chrismahon]

Neither am I Smudger. And I won't tell anyone what you are doing!!!!

Few days on and 'Chester' looks more like a cockerel every day. Being a large fowl cross he dwarfs the TNN's and Bantam Leghorns. Still very laid back and just does his own thing, despite the little dancing Bantam cockerel in his face. Problem is he has a taste for TNN chest feathers.