Curious- No Tail Development - Updated w/ Pics 2, 3.5, 4.5, 6.5 weeks

[jolenesdad]

I’m curious about three of my two week old chicks. I know it’s early but I’m seeing a few clues to these I wanted to get opinions on. All three of these have zero tail growth at two weeks of age. I haven’t had any of these breeds before, and, only have one of each breed. I’m SOL with direct side by side breed comparisons as they grow. Sorry I’m advance they’re moving a lot so I did what I could to get some overhead and individual shots! I didn’t do combs because they’re 2 weeks and all small. Just wondering thoughts on these preliminary notes... let me know if you need additional photos or notes, I’ll update as they grow.

Partridge Penedesenca
Has always been dark in color with defined chipmunk stripes. Thicker-ish legs than many, but also a big bird and doesn’t seem too out of place for the size. The down of the tail starting to push out, so there’s at least something happening there.

Speckled Sussex
Tiny chick, least feather development of all 9 chicks. The MOST outgoing chick, which has me worried with the no tail growth. Skinny little legs. (Hoping and hoping she is a late bloomer, she is the sweetest chick I’ve had... eeks)

Blue Cuckoo Marans
I think the writing is on the wall with this one. Grown SUPER FAST compared to the other chicks but limited feather growth. MASSIVE legs compared to all other chickens. Has darker spots on the legs (pullet?) but has always had a non defined head spot. In addition, I feel like there’s a more white to the cuckoo feathering coming in than my Cuckoo Marans adult hen or the cuckoo Bluebar that is next to it in these overhead photos. It looks to me like the Bluebar has thicker dark areas to the pattern where the Marans has more white. Am I seeing this right and doesn’t that mean roo?


Cuckoo Bluebar(CB) on top for feather comparison, Blue Cuckoo Marans (BLCM) in middle for overhead view and Partridge Penedesenca (PP) for overhead as well.

This one adds the Speckled Sussex (SS) fo overhead view.

SS additional views

PP additional views

BLCM additional views

 

[Buffbrahmasforever]

All your chicks are perfectly healthy and happy. No tales are common on slow feathering birds, they will come in soon. You don't need to worry.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Cute babies!

No tails... used to mean boys in my experience... until my Speckled Sussex disproved that. Most outgoing is OFTEN male. But Sussex might be one of my human friendliest breeds also.

Yes wider white stripes means male in barred/cuckoo breeds.The dark spots on the legs are irrelevant in my experience. I think you are just seeing genetic differences...

I was gonna say they all look fine to me as long as you are feeding starter or equal nutrition... but I see your question was about gender. Many of my boys start turning red around the 3-4 week mark.

 

[jolenesdad]

I’m gonna say they’re all pretty friendly so I’m thinking the SS is just slow to feather. This is the first time I’ve brooded in an open brooder outside and the difference is incredible. They all jump on my lap but the SS is first.

The marans has piqued my interest and it will just be interesting to see if my assumptions were right early on! That bird is always upright, too and pretty friendly when my previous marans weren’t friendly until they started laying. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Hensndoes]

I wouldn't call sex just yet on that blue cuckoo. I don't really see a definite head spot which a boy would have. Feathering looks girl to me too. Also, marans boys tend to have visibly large combs around 4 weeks and totally obvious by 6. As for behavior the are much to young to use that as a factor in guessing. Marans tend to be more outgoing from day 1.

 

[jolenesdad]

Whoopsie! I thought a defined head spot was pullet.

 

[jolenesdad]

Updated photos at 3.5 weeks for these three if anyone cares to weigh in or if someone later stumbles upon this in a search.

The Speckled Sussex has the least feathering by FAR of any of the chicks I have. Most amazing personality. Not noticing anything out of the ordinary other than slow feathering with her. She seems sweet not just outgoing. Zero tail feathers.

The Blue Cuckoo Marans is massive compared to the other chickens and doesn’t have many if any back feathers. The last two days, there is definite comb growth. Thinking of this is a boy, this comb may give him away in a week or so. Still barely even a noticeable peek of tail feathers.

The Partridge Penedesenca has tail feathers, but I feel like maybe the legs are growing faster than other chicks and the comb is developing but doesn’t seem pink toned like that Marans. (The photo looks sort of pink but I had to lighten it she was a bit dark, in person I don’t see pink, just a larger size)

Speckled Sussex

Blue Cuckoo Marans

Penedesenca

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Your birds are showing a lot of comb for 3.5 weeks old. My 8 week old pullet chicks’ combs are only becoming noticeable.

 

[jolenesdad]

That’s my thought too @Brahma Chicken5000. Especially the Penedesenca and the Marans. The speckled Sussex is pretty close up compared and honestly fairly in line size size to all the other 7 chicks I have.

The marans also just acts like a rooster I think. He or she is curious and interested but alooooooooof and always judging me.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Especially the Penedesenca and the Marans.

Also my thinking.

always judging me.

Usually a GOOD clue...

I'm not seeing anyone screaming cockerel yet though. (always hopeful) I do suspect the next week or so may be revealing.