How Will I Know

The Waiting Game: A "Visual Guide" to Spotting Roosters as They Grow

Since we skip the invasive process of vent sexing day-old chicks, raising a straight run means playing a fun (and sometimes tricky!) waiting game. Nature has its own way of revealing who’s who, usually starting around 4–6 weeks of age.

Here are the key visual and behavioral clues to look for as your chicks develop into teenagers.

1. The Headgear: Combs and Wattles (Weeks 4–8)

This is often the very first indicator. Keep a close eye on the top of their heads.

• Cockerels (Males): Their combs and wattles will generally start to turn a bright, vibrant red much earlier. The comb will also become larger, thicker, and stand up straighter than the others.

  
  

• Pullets (Females): Their combs usually remain small, pale (pinkish or yellowish), and flat against their heads until they are much closer to the point of laying eggs (around 18–24 weeks).

Visual Tip: Look at your flock as a group. There is usually one or two chicks whose headgear just looks "bolder" and redder than the rest. That's likely a boy.

Look at the white chicks, the one on the right is a Cockerel. Note his comb is larger and has more color than the 2 others which are Pullets.

2. The Legs: Stance and Thickness (Weeks 6–10)

Males are built to be the defenders of the flock, and their bodies show it early on.

• Cockerels: Look for thicker, sturdier legs and bigger feet. They often stand taller and have a more upright, confident posture.

  
  

• Pullets: Generally have finer, thinner legs and a lower, more streamlined body shape.

3. The Feathers: Saddle and Hackles (Weeks 8–12+)

This is the most definitive physical sign and the true "tell" for most breeds. You are looking for specific shapes in their new adult feathers.

• Hackle Feathers (Neck):

  
  

  Cockerels (Males): Look for long, pointy, slender feathers that drape down over their shoulders like a shawl.

  
  

  Pullets (Females): Their neck feathers will be shorter, wider, and have rounded tips.

  
  

• Saddle Feathers (Back):

  
  

  Cockerels (Males): Where the back meets the tail, males will grow long, draping, pointy feathers that hang down over their sides.

  
  

  Pullets (Females): Their back feathers remain flat, wide, and rounded, creating a smooth "cushion" leading to the tail.

  
  

• Sickle Feathers (Tail):

Eventually, Cockerels will grow those iconic long, curving tail feathers that arch over the top of their main tail. While the Pullets tails will be shorter, fuller and rounded feather tips.

English Lemon Cuckoo Orpingtons; Rooster on the right with larger comb and wattles along with the pointed Hackle and Saddle Feathers versus the two Hens

4. Behavior and Attitude (Ongoing)

Sometimes, you’ll know before you see it.

Cockerels: Tend to be bolder, more curious, and may chest-bump or spar with one another in "play fighting." They are often the first to run to investigate something new and the last to take cover.

• The Crow: The ultimate sign! Some precocious cockerels may start practicing their crow as early as 8 weeks, though it usually sounds more like a screechy gargle at first.

Remember: Nature loves variety. Some breeds develop faster than others, and sometimes a "dominant" pullet can develop a larger reddening comb, while a "submissive" cockerel might be a late bloomer. Use a combination of these signs to make your best guess!

Quick reference for possible early signs at about 3-4 weeks

Feature	Likely Rooster (Cockerel)	Likely Hen (Pullet)
Comb Color	Pinkish/Reddish	Pale/Yellow/Flesh-colored
Comb Size	Wide base, taller	Flat, narrow
Wattles	Visible and pinking up	nonexistent or pale
Legs	Thick, blocky	Slender, smaller
Feathering	Patchy, fuzzy (slow)	Smooth, full (fast)
Posture	Upright, tall	Horizontal, low