9wk Shetland Hens: male or female?

[chfriedmam]

I don’t know much about Shetland Hens, and I’m having trouble sexing them at 9wks. My Marans chicks the same age it’s clear, but these are all very mild-mannered (maybe they just can’t see) and none have real big combs, but there ARE red wattles. And their tappit shape varies…. Any guesses ?

 

[Yard Farmer]

None of them scream cockerel to me!

 

[chfriedmam]

None of them scream cockerel to me!

I know?! What luck, bc I actually just hatched them on a whim, not to breed.

 

[LadyLucretia]

I don’t know much about Shetland Hens, and I’m having trouble sexing them at 9wks. My Marans chicks the same age it’s clear, but these are all very mild-mannered (maybe they just can’t see) and none have real big combs, but there ARE red wattles. And their tappit shape varies…. Any guesses ?

These all look like pullets to me! Cannot believe your luck lol! Did you get your eggs from Greenfire? They are lovely birds, so sweet and docile. I have two hens and one cockerel. Yours are beauties.

 

[ProbablyChickenRelated]

These all look like pullets to me! Cannot believe your luck lol! Did you get your eggs from Greenfire? They are lovely birds, so sweet and docile. I have two hens and one cockerel. Yours are beauties.

I see this thread is older, but those are all girls. In my experience with the Shetlands, the males will have a smaller poof (tappit) and they also will grow in metallic feathering- silver, gold, green, red (like most roosters, but the Shetlands are super-duper metallic). We call the boys our punk rockers - when they’re older some of the poofs get hilarious. I the Shetlands. They’re such sweet friendly little things that lay eggs non-stop.

 

[charlie1051]

Just curious what you ladies' experience has been with the Shetland's? Someone told me they are frail and weak but I don't want to believe that since I really want to get some, but the truth is best either way. It would be great to hear about them from a real owner.

 

[ProbablyChickenRelated]

They’re quite hardy in my experience. If there is snow, they will be some of the only ones outside- nothing seems to bother them much. I would say maybe they’re on the ‘petite’ side as in being of a slightly smaller build, but very hardy. Super soft feathers too- almost like a double coat. The lower half of all of their feathers have a Silkie-like down to them. It seems to insulate them really well and makes them very soft.i did have one gal get picked on by the other girls a bit, but i think it’s because she has an extra fluffy poof, it makes it harder to see. I’m planning to either put in a ponytail or trim it a bit. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, just some pecking at back feathers. That’s really the only thing I’ve seen with them.

 

[charlie1051]

They’re quite hardy in my experience. If there is snow, they will be some of the only ones outside- nothing seems to bother them much. I would say maybe they’re on the ‘petite’ side as in being of a slightly smaller build, but very hardy. Super soft feathers too- almost like a double coat. The lower half of all of their feathers have a Silkie-like down to them. It seems to insulate them really well and makes them very soft.i did have one gal get picked on by the other girls a bit, but i think it’s because she has an extra fluffy poof, it makes it harder to see. I’m planning to either put in a ponytail or trim it a bit. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, just some pecking at back feathers. That’s really the only thing I’ve seen with them.

Thanks so much for that info. It's great to hear good things about these awesome birds.