Black Australorp - 12 weeks, pullet or roo? New pics at 23 weeks old

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ArizonaDesertChicks

ArizonaDesertChicks

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Nov. 18th - New pics at 23 weeks of age - page 2

I'm pretty sure this one is a pullet, but need some reassurance - its comb is still small, but the wattles are larger than any of the other chicks I have. I plan to rehome it and don't want to sell someone a rooster by accident.

This is the chick in question at about 8 weeks old (on the left) with one of my definite roos (all three definite roos were sold early on).

newBRs-EEs012-1.jpg



Chick in question at 11 weeks:

newBRs-EEs0582.jpg



at 12 weeks:

lightbrahma014.jpg


12 weeks
BAeye006.jpg


It's her wattles that are throwing me off. Are they a normal size for a 12 week old pullet?
 
Last edited:
Thanks. What about the wattles? I looked back on my original flock of chickens and they either had no wattles or very small wattles (smaller than hers/his?) till they were 19-20 weeks of age.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=19548-from-chicks-to-pullets-to-hens

I know her body, feathers, & comb still make her look like a pullet, but did any of your BA pullets have larger wattles like this at a young age? She's my first BA - I don't know if their wattles grow earlier than on other hens.
 
Okay - this chicken is now 15 1/2 weeks old - it still has a fairly small comb, but its wattles are huge for a pullet at this age (at least I think so).

This chicken is at the bottom of the pecking order. It's kind of a loner and hates to be picked up (not typical of my chickens) and has its hackles (neck feathers) raised an awful lot. The saddle feathers are still rounded - not sure when the pointy ones would be due to come in if it is a roo.

My barred rock (also 15 1/2 weeks) & splash orp (17 1/2 weeks) still don't have their wattles growing yet.

Pictures taken today at 15 1/2 weeks of age:
splashorp-175weeks005.jpg


splashorp-175weeks006-1.jpg
 
I'd guess roo just going by tail in last two pics. probably a late bloomer. Could be why he's so recesive, scared that's what the raised hackle means. And dont mean aggressive hackle. Just to make clear.
 
The tail does like strange - a couple long feathers, but the saddle feathers are still round. Do you know at what age it should grow pointed saddle feathers if it is a roo?
 
My BA's have very big wattles and combs at 18 wks and I know they are all pullets. They are laying!
 
I have an australorp who I thought might be a roo, but when she reached adulthood, she dropped the long tail feathers, grew a "hen butt's" tail feathers, and 7 days ago she started laying.

She's given me 7 eggs in 7 days. She's a machine!

Oh, in summary, you have a pullet! :-)
 

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