dodomydodo Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 (edited) Hi, I would be so grateful if you would give me your opinions on the sex of my Pekin bantams. I bought them about four weeks ago, sold as hens, but the dizzy girl at the place I bought them had no idea how old they were. This morning one of them started to make distinct attempts at crowing so I need to find out their sex asap! Many, many thanks x PS This is my first attempt at posting photos so please let me know if it doesn't work. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/dodomydodo/Peeps2008-08-03004.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/dodomydodo/Peeps2008-08-03007.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/dodomydodo/Peeps2008-08-03011.jpg Edited August 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Hi, I can't say for sure, but we have pekins (girls) and your lovely trio look more like little boys to me, just from there wattles, combs and their legs/feet feathers. I could be totally wrong though!!! They are lovely looking though and I hope you get the answer you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodomydodo Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 Mmm... that's what I thought, I've been looking at images online and it does seem that they look more like boys. I'm so sad as it took me ages to find some Pekins, plus I went to the expense of buying them a new coop too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Hmm, judging by the poise and the tail feathers the white is definitely a boy. The definition of the barring on the feathers of the lemon cuckoo is normally a dead giveaway, it's much clearer on the males and much blurrier on the girls, so I'd say boy there too. You might be lucky with the buff, but check the hackle feathers, pointed = boy, rounded = girl as I'm sure you know. How are they behaving? Are they squaring up to each other? Do they peck you if you approach them head on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Sorry no help on the sex but superjules knows her stuff there! They are stunning so fingers crossed that a least one is a girl! Will the breeder take them back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodomydodo Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 Thanks for your replies, I have been away for a week and had a friend hen-sitting, but it seems that there has been a bit of pecking going on and they certainly aren't as friendly as our hybrids. Seems they'll have to be taken back. I'll take all three as it doesn't seem fair to leave one on its own; and I was so looking forward to having Pekins Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Dodo, if you're struggling to find pekins, they breed them at Thornes in Letchworth, which may not be a million miles from you, depending on which side of cambridgeshire you are on. They may not have any ready right now but you can certainly reserve some. They are not cheap at £25 each but they are all vaccinated and are certainly top-notch, quality birds. They have at least three different colours of breeding groups. Frank Lock, who works there, is a member of the pekin club so even if it's too far for you he may be able to point you in the right direction closer to home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodomydodo Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 Thanks Superjules, we're very near the A1 so that would be perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Most of our girls came from there, except our chicks (which hatched with Thorne's guidance and advice) and my one remaining original omlet girl. I can't recommend them highly enough, get yourself down there! Tell them Holly (my 4yo DD) sent you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 I'd say the white was definitely a boy. The others probably are. Shame. They are lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I'd say the white one was a boy, but I'm not so sure about the other two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodomydodo Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Hi, If it helps at all the supplier says the birds should now be between 16 & 18 weeks old. Thanks, Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 The girls are usually more rounded I think and not so poised. They are beautiful though. Have you considered keeping one and adding 2 girls?? The Pekin boys are quite lovely and dont make such a racket. ? Would that work in your set up? Just wondering. Frank at Thornes would advise you better. Its worth talking to him on the phone. Hes really helpful and will definately help. Infact I've got his shop card here Tel: is 01462 675767 Superjules and I are Frank Fans if you have'nt guessed. He'll sort you out! Troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodomydodo Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Thank you all for your help with this problem. It was fairly well sealed yesterday when two of my beautiful hens started crowing The supplier has taken them back so I’ve been in contact with Thornes in Letchworth (thanks for the tip Superjules & Troy) and we’re going over next week to see about some new hens. Can I just add how nice it is that so many of you give your kind and helpful advice for free (it’s nice, too, to know that there are so many chicken-crazy people in the world!) Sarah PS Must go now and change my hen details below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I'm sorry you didn't get what you had hoped for first time round, but good news that the breeder has taken them back. So go on, which ones started crowing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Bad luck. Good to hear that the breeder has taken them back though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodomydodo Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Hi, Well, Superjules you were spot on - the white one first then the lemon cuckoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Shame, they look like lovely birds. Hope you get what you wish for at Thornes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
