figlette Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 It's a girl! It's a girl! It's a ???! As young chicks they all very looked like sweet little Welsummer gals, but now I am starting to question whether Matilda is actually just Matt. I called the farm where she came from a week or so ago because she was lagging so far behind the bigger girls, but she did finally start developing feathers. And two days ago she started developing a serious comb. Hoping she just is well endowed. Anyone have any thoughts? If we have a Roo, I would like to get him swapped out sooner rather than later in hopes that the toddler doesn't notice. Mat(t)ilda is in the back in the first picture and the middle of the second. Thanks for looking at the girls (I hope). And side note, Welsummer chicks are big girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Oh they are sooooooooo sweet, and yes that does look like a lovely comb. Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 A picture of her legs might give us more of a clue. The boys have much sturdier legs. How do they compare to "her" companions' ? They are very appealing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpops Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 What cuties!!! The comb does seem much more advanced than the others - I would air on the safe side - I had a chick for ages that I thought - then hoped was a girl, but he turned out to be a boy. In hind sight it would have been much easier if I had re-homed him when I first suspected. You instincts are nearly always right!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Boys feather up a lot slower than girls - swap him before anyone notices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 I've no idea but they are very sweet . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzie Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Oh I see what you mean about the size of the comb it does look much larger that the other girls. Sorry I have no answer for you but they are very good looking chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figlette Posted April 10, 2008 Author Share Posted April 10, 2008 Thank you everyone. I think I might have mother hen intuition with the little gal/guy as I have been suspect of her being a him for awhile now. Part of me wonders if I am seeing signs because I think I need to see signs. Matilda's legs are actually slighter than the legs on the other two, but he/she is really quite a bit smaller than the big girls. I understand Welsummer chicks are pretty thick in general though. Matilda was a little bit smaller when I brought them home, but is now considerably smaller. I think I will give it the weekend and see if the chest feathers come in darker than the those on Alice and Hazel. Maybe I should put out a beer and the remote control and see if Matilda turns the channel to sports. Thank you again. The compliments are particularly sweet as these are our first chicks and I have been most worried about caring for them correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 I understand Welsummer chicks are pretty thick in general though. That's a bit harsh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figlette Posted April 10, 2008 Author Share Posted April 10, 2008 Ha! Oops. They are a little heartier than most. The thick adjective does suit poor Alice though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 What about the feathers around his/her hackles. Pointy = bad news Round = good news. Why not get a bit of white card and examine the ends of the feathers against it....and then do the same with the others....see if there is any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 I'm afraid I think it's a boy - the tail feathers are much shorter than the girls, and the girls have their 'fairy wings' (at the shoulders) sooner than the boys, which yours have. Also the Welsummer girls get a 'salmon' coloured breast. I find the difference in feather shape doesn't become apparent until a bit later on - in fact there's hardly a difference in my current 6 week old girls and boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figlette Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 Just wanted to let you all know that Matilda was definitely a Matt. Thank you again for the insight. He went back to the farm today and the Chicken Guru took one look at her and declared her a him. He outed himself early enough that we were able to replace him. Of course we had to replace him with two. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
