mydaisy
Songster
I'm embarrassed to even ask this question, I've had chickens for about 4 years now, but these Aussies have me second guessing now.
I bought these three from a local person as 14 week pullets. Everything about them screamed female, I had no concerns. They were of course scared when they arrived, so they were definitely lower in pecking order. I was even a little concerned at first because my already established pullets (since chicks) were a little bit mean to them (they are roughly the same age). Of course I watched and made sure no major aggression was going on, and after about a week everybody seemed to have a flow. They all got on well with each other.
Fast forward 4 weeks since I got them, their combs are very much redder and wattles are bigger. The past week I have have gotten the old tell-tell "submissive squat" from a couple of the new girls when I went to grab them. So I am thinking they are getting ready to lay anytime, right?
But here is why I am even questioning this: the pullet in the last picture has on 3 different occasions bit one of my EE girls on the back of the neck and latched on like a rooster would. My EE would squeal loudly and the Aussie wouldn't let go, I had to break it up. Why would it be doing this if it is a maturing pullet? Especially since I have always believed them to be lower in the pecking order? Are these roosters?!? Their tail feathers look female, right?
Pictures are a progression of 14 weeks to 18 weeks old.
I bought these three from a local person as 14 week pullets. Everything about them screamed female, I had no concerns. They were of course scared when they arrived, so they were definitely lower in pecking order. I was even a little concerned at first because my already established pullets (since chicks) were a little bit mean to them (they are roughly the same age). Of course I watched and made sure no major aggression was going on, and after about a week everybody seemed to have a flow. They all got on well with each other.
Fast forward 4 weeks since I got them, their combs are very much redder and wattles are bigger. The past week I have have gotten the old tell-tell "submissive squat" from a couple of the new girls when I went to grab them. So I am thinking they are getting ready to lay anytime, right?
But here is why I am even questioning this: the pullet in the last picture has on 3 different occasions bit one of my EE girls on the back of the neck and latched on like a rooster would. My EE would squeal loudly and the Aussie wouldn't let go, I had to break it up. Why would it be doing this if it is a maturing pullet? Especially since I have always believed them to be lower in the pecking order? Are these roosters?!? Their tail feathers look female, right?
Pictures are a progression of 14 weeks to 18 weeks old.
