JUVENILE CHICKEN SEXING: WADLES
Breeds include: All
Since chickens are not able to sweat, they cool themselves through blood circulation. Their waddles and combs are highly concentrated with capillaries and veins allowing overheated blood to pass through. The air cooled blood reduces the chicken’s internal temperature. Thus, waddles are a bright red color as they age.
Wattles are absent as newborns. Cockerels’ wattles develop and often begin to redden as early as 5-6 weeks of age. Hen wattles are a sign of maturity. Hens wattles will turn bright red/pink when closer to point of lay (4-9 months in age).
Note: Ayam Cemani, Onyx Sundance, and Silkie waddles and combs are black in color making this method less accurate. Silkie cockerel waddles usually take longer to develop than other breeds and are often hidden by those sporting a beard. DNA sexing is the only reliable way to sex a silkie until fully mature.
