12 week Australorp Roo or hen?

[jojopetlover]

Hi - we haven’t had an Australorp before, but we thought this one was a roo for the first few weeks due to slow tail feather development and wing shape. The Wattles came out quite red a few weeks ago. However, now at 12 weeks the wattle size is fairly small - although still quite red. Roo or hen?

 

[redinator]

Fairly sure that's a pullet. I'm not seeing any pointy hackle feathers or droopy saddle feathers. I had the same thing happen with one of my pullets, red wattles at 7-8 weeks but they stayed the same size until she started laying at 4 months old.

 

[rubi fussell]

Hen

 

[jojopetlover]

Thank you!! I will remain hopeful. She has a beautiful temperament and would love to keep her. I will keep you updated

 

[rubi fussell]

Okay

 

[Seaslug]

My experience is limited, but I also had an Australorp that developed wattles and comb early. I think that they just develop a bit earlier than some other breeds (and they have semi-large wattles and combs.)