6-week old Black Australorp

[Madrock]

Hi everyone. I have a 6 week old Black Australorp that I need help with from the experts. I am hoping for a pullet as I cannot have roos. It happens to be my youngest’s favorite as well. The size of the comb worries me the most, but to be honest I don’t know how to determine gender with this breed. I will say that it is the most calm and gentile of all breeds I have. It is also on the shy side and gets picked on by all of the other pullets that are the same age. I am bracing for the worst, but hoping for the best with it. I wish I got pictures of it when it was younger. It developed tail feathers quite fast.

Thank you.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If that comb turns red in the next two week than it's a cockerel.

 

[Madrock]

I have heard with this breed that it is either red or it is not red. No in betweens. Does that sound correct?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

At 6 weeks the combs will be pink in males generally, and turn red by 8 weeks. So give it another 2 weeks. Occasionally females get slightly pink combs by 8-10 weeks, but they don't turn red until much later.

 

[Madrock]

Adding some photos from week 9

 

[The Happster]

Pullet. Beautiful girl.

 

[cmom]

Male

 

[Madrock]

Here it is at 11 weeks. The feather pattern still has me thinking it is a pullet. Disregard the photo bomber.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pullet

 

[Elizabethwood09]

I don't see any pointy saddle feathers so I'd say pullet.