How to Spot a Young Light Sussex Cockerel?

[jersey bean]

Afternoon all!

I have 3 18 week old light sussex. I got them at 12 weeks when they all looked the same, the person I bought them from sexed them as he had a selection for sale. Now one is looking different to the other two, lack of longer tail feathers whereas the other two have long black feathers, and the comb/wattle is slightly bigger and more red. I have also noticed this one, when 'squaring up' to one of the others, the neck feathers stand out.

I know from my other girls (not light sussex) they don't all look identical, but I'm a bit out of my depth with this!

If it was a cockerel would it be obvious by now or is this one just a bit different?

Thank you!

[RichmondHens]

At 18 weeks it would look like a cock and probably be crowing too. You probably just have a more dominant hen and also if she is getting red comb and wattles, be not far off lay. They should have been easy to sex at 12 weeks so the breeder would be unlikely to make a mistake.

If you can put a picture on here then we can all take a look and tell you for sure.

[Nicos]

Sounds like a boy- but time will tell!

A dominant gal could develop those features/traits, but it's more likely to be a lad.
( not that I know anything specific to Light Sussex...but that's generally the case.)

why not give the breeder a ring and see what they say??
At least forwarned they may be happy to exchange if it is a boy!

[Nicos]

there ya go RH....I'm nearly there!!!

[RichmondHens]

there ya go RH....I'm nearly there!!!

I've got one of the about the same age as JB's and he has been "cocky" for weeks. My older ones (25 weeks) are all heavy and looking full on cocks now - bigger than their father in fact! We have started processing them ..............

[jersey bean]

Thanks for your answers. Well, they very kindly all stood together for a photo and I can shrink the pixel size but I'm having trouble shrinking the KB size so I will have to wait for hubby to come home and help before I can upload it.

It would be no problem to take it back, I made it clear when I bought it that if it was a cockerel then it would have to come back!

[jersey bean]

Here goes - the suspect is on the right. Hope you can see it well enough.

[polo]

I have no idea- no experience of young hens, mine were all pol. Having seen the photo though I would be asking the very same question ...

Good luck

[Hilary B]

Sorry, but yes, that looks like a boy!

[RichmondHens]

Er yes it does - sorry!

Do they always stand with their tails down like that? Or was it raining when you took the photo?

[Glutton4...]

Looks like saddle feathers there - I'd say it's a Fella too. But, as I've said before, I know nothing!

[jersey bean]

Thanks everyone. Glad its not just my overactive imagination! Thankfully it will be no problem to 'swap' at the farm where I got them from.

Richmond - they don't normally stand like that, but they are much more nervous that our other girls were when we got them. Camera shy maybe? Plus, I'm 7 months pregnant so I haven't socialised with them very much as they are in the 'little and low' coop/run until they can hold their own against the other girls. In fact anything that involves bending over is nearly out of the question, thank god for wellies!

[petal]

Well, i breed light sussex and i would say that was a boy on the right, their comb and wattle seems to stay pale until about 25 weeks on ours! Check the saddle feathers - are they rounded or pointed? Shine a torch in the dark - is its coat glossy or dull?Only thing - its legs are not stout and long and it seems to have a hen like body, not angular ....Wierd.

[Mattywood]

Light sussex

Hi i have just got 3 sussex two light and one buff i was woundering if anyone could tell me the sex but they are still young at ten week is this possible