Here's a blunt, practical truth from someone who has stared down a rooster's comb and lived to tell the tale: if it looks suspicious, trust your gut.
The user who posted this did exactly the right thing. They bought sex-linked Golden Comets and Cinnamon Queens from Blain's Farm & Fleet, breeds that, theoretically, should make gender identification a breeze. At five weeks, the difference in comb development between a pullet and a cockerel is usually subtle enough to second-guess yourself into a headache… unless it isn't. If one chick's comb is visibly more advanced than its supposed sibling of the same age and breed, that's not just "normal variation." That's a red flag wearing feathers.
The 95% accuracy claim from the hatchery isn't a lie, but it's a probability, not a promise. Think of it like a weather forecast: 95% chance of no roosters? Great. But someone always ends up with the 5% storm. And here's where the vulnerability kicks in, because if you're a first-time owner with a noisy urban backyard or strict zoning laws, that 5% means rehoming a bird you've already named. The comb doesn't lie, even if the hatchery's math does.
So what would we tell a reader who sent us this exact photo? We'd say: don't panic. Watch for other clues over the next two weeks, pointy saddle feathers, a crowing attempt that sounds like a toy trumpet with a cold, and a general attitude of "I am the boss of this lawn." The comb is a strong early indicator, but it's not the final verdict. Separate the suspicious chick for a few hours and observe the flock dynamic. Cockerels tend to announce themselves by strutting, not just by looking fancy. And if that comb keeps growing like it's on steroids? Start making peace with the idea of a pet rooster, or start checking your local Craigslist for "loving home wanted" posts. The concrete point here is simple: a suspicious comb at five weeks is a fact, not a feeling. Act on it now, while rehoming is easier and before your neighbors start leaving passive-aggressive notes about the 4 AM noise.