Egg Lou Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 (edited) Well my four little ones are now 2 weeks old and tiny bundles of fun! Mum and babies are doing really well and free ranging (supervised) with the other girls very nicely.. I have been watching each day closely and checked Superjules's photo's of Sonic and fairly sure I now have one little boy, two little girls but one I am really unsure of... Can I ask your opinion and see if it matches my thoughts?? or do you think its just too soon? The one I am fairly certain is a little chap was one of the two favorites so its a real shame but thats the luck of the draw and he will have a large farm family to go to.. would really have preferred 2 boys so they they can settle in together though as a very large flock Peaches ( or Aston!) Skye Mercedes Mini UPDATED PICS Edited August 11, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Aren't they beautiful. Like you, I'd say 1 boy, 3 girls but you'll know for sure within another week. Sonic is now 10 weeks old, no crowing yet, but he does front up to the big girls when they're on safari. Frank at Thorne's has a home available for him with a nice harem of girls if he becomes a problem, but we're hanging onto him for now as he's such a little darling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 Aren't they beautiful. Like you, I'd say 1 boy, 3 girls but you'll know for sure within another week. Sonic is now 10 weeks old, no crowing yet, but he does front up to the big girls when they're on safari. Frank at Thorne's has a home available for him with a nice harem of girls if he becomes a problem, but we're hanging onto him for now as he's such a little darling. Thanks I knew you would know! Sonic looks such a poppet I hope you can keep him.. he looks similar to Mercedes. I wish I could keep my boy as would rather he was in a garden home than a big farm but sure it will be fine by the time he's bigger.. The one I wasn't sure about is Mini.. my DD's fav.. she falls asleep on her all the time and is so cute it would be a real shame if she was a he I will keep an eye on over the next week to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oatley Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 I found that it was easiest to tell with behaviour. The boys started to do the whole "i am bigger than you" "No - I am bigger than you!" "wanna bet" "only if you think your 'ard enough" routine from very early on. The one girl was not interested in the ickering. The appearance was less of a give away at that point. They started to crow at 11 weeks. We have another brood hatching right now!!!!!!!!! Question - why can't you keep the boy (if he is one)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Cute. I'd say the top one is male . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Sorry but how can you tell from the pictures? They are lovely Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 I found that it was easiest to tell with behaviour. The boys started to do the whole "i am bigger than you" "No - I am bigger than you!" "wanna bet" "only if you think your 'ard enough" routine from very early on. The one girl was not interested in the ickering. The appearance was less of a give away at that point. They started to crow at 11 weeks. We have another brood hatching right now!!!!!!!!! Question - why can't you keep the boy (if he is one)? the only one that behaved more "bolshy" was Skye to start with but no sign of her comb growing.. I sorted the farm home for the boys before agreeing to hatch as don't think neighbours would be too happy with the crowing.. its a lovely home just would have prefered two to go together for the settling in period.. Best of luck with your hatch.. i will follow with interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 Sorry but how can you tell from the pictures? They are lovely Chrissie Hi Chrissie On males the combs/wattles grow much quicker,prouder and pinker than girls.. as I understand it this is even more obvious on Pekins from an earlier age than other birds.. if you compare the first picture of "peaches" with the Skye one you'll see what we mean.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oatley Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 I found that it was easiest to tell with behaviour. The boys started to do the whole "i am bigger than you" "No - I am bigger than you!" "wanna bet" "only if you think your 'ard enough" routine from very early on. The one girl was not interested in the ickering. The appearance was less of a give away at that point. They started to crow at 11 weeks. We have another brood hatching right now!!!!!!!!! Question - why can't you keep the boy (if he is one)? the only one that behaved more "bolshy" was Skye to start with but no sign of her comb growing.. I sorted the farm home for the boys before agreeing to hatch as don't think neighbours would be too happy with the crowing.. its a lovely home just would have prefered two to go together for the settling in period.. Best of luck with your hatch.. i will follow with interest! Pekin roosters are very very quiet compared to regular roosters. Our neighbours (we are on an estate) are fine about them - their dogs make FAR more noise. As for our brood - we can hear cheaping, but Audrey is not letting us look yet. Tomorrow hopefully! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Sorry but how can you tell from the pictures? They are lovely Chrissie Hi Chrissie On males the combs/wattles grow much quicker,prouder and pinker than girls.. as I understand it this is even more obvious on Pekins from an earlier age than other birds.. if you compare the first picture of "peaches" with the Skye one you'll see what we mean.. Thanks Egg Lou, I see what you mean. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Well after three weeks I think I can be fairly certain I have 1 boy and 3 girls! I have updated the photo's of the Peaches.. now Aston.. in the first post too so you can compare.. Bit sad though as he is one of the tamest and loves attention.. will jump on hand and happy to perch on knee or shoulder every day as you can see from photo! wWill be sorely missed when I re home him in when older Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 oh they are soooo soooo lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 They're all gorgeous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 They are cute. Look at his comb and wattles, though! I'd say there is little doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 They are cute. Look at his comb and wattles, though! I'd say there is little doubt. I know.. huge! quite ironic really as this was the one I was certain was a girl when first hatched.. feathered up much quicker.. very girly and happiest to snuggle into warm hands So very tame! He is beautiful though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Well done, you were spot on Lou, with your original assessment. I know you're sad about having to let little Aston go, but you did well to get as many girls as you did. How long will you keep him for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 Well done, you were spot on Lou, with your original assessment. I know you're sad about having to let little Aston go, but you did well to get as many girls as you did. How long will you keep him for? Yes I am pleased with my girls.. I plan on keeping him as long as possible .. Although I think I've said before he already has a home to go to in a large mixed flock, but with him being so tame I am going to use the time to see if I can find a smaller home for him as he does like being around people! If I manage to find a more "family" style home then I will let him go when "weaned" from Mum if needed. Unless I manage to win some money and move to a more rural plot of course! Think he's going to be a stunner and very much a real male poser.. think it seems typical of Pekins!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...