Roo? Saddle feathers at 9 weeks? UPDATED CLEARER PICS

Snowchicken56

In the Brooder
Feb 22, 2015
70
8
41
Maine
Here is another one of my mixed breed babies. Almost 9 weeks old. The comb and waddles are small and pink, not red, but the tail concerns me. Starting to look like a rooster tail. Sorry for the picture quality, only had my iPad handy. Thoughts?

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I would wait it out. Those aren't very pointed feathers and I've heard of pullets molting feathers looking like saddle feathers. That head and stance look like a pullet to me. Any rooster behaviors?
 
I would wait it out. Those aren't very pointed feathers and I've heard of pullets molting feathers looking like saddle feathers. That head and stance look like a pullet to me. Any rooster behaviors?


No real cockerel behavior yet, but I will give it a few weeks to see how he/she continues to feather out. Thanks!
 
No real cockerel behavior yet, but I will give it a few weeks to see how he/she continues to feather out. Thanks!
Especially if that one is lower in the pecking order, it won't show cock behavior yet. Still, you can wait a little longer if you're unsure. It won't hurt, as long as it's not a bother to the pullets.
 
I think it's a pullet
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I'm thinking those feathers are an optical illusion, it's the dark pattern and not the actual shape of the feather itself. To be sure, you can catch the bird and lay a sheet of white paper under one of those feathers. Easier said than done, I know! But that will allow you to see the true shape of the feathers. I agree 9 weeks is quite young for sex feathers, and the comb, thin legs and overall feminine look make me think pullet.

Let us know?
 
i thought saddle and hackle feathers don't usually show up this early? Are these definite saddle feathers?
They do not look like saddle feathers to me, and they look rounded. I think the pattern on them makes them look pointy. Saddle feathers tend to sprout along the lower back first, not near the tail. With the lack of comb color, thin legs, and uniform red coloration I think it is a pullet. I would expect a cockerel to have more comb color, darker red shading in the wings and a more leggy, gangly appearance.
 

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