Australorp: Cockerel or Pullet?

[Impeckable]

Hello chicken people! I finally was able to build myself a coop this year and get myself a new flock of birds. I've looked up multiple threads and tips for sexing chickens, and have done it in the past just fine with some accidental cockerels I'd had, but I'm stumped on this one. I've never owned Black Australorps before, but some threads I was reading spoke about how they just have long tails as a breed trait and that threw me off a bit, since in the past I'd had a Easter Egger cockerel that I could immediately tell was a cockerel by his tail (and later comb). It also has a little bit of a different, deeper tone to its vocalizations and is by far the most skittish one of all the birds. This however could just be an individual thing, so I dont put too much weight on those. This little one is a day over 8 weeks old, and though I dont think I've seen any saddle or hackle feathers I could very well be wrong (or blind lol). I considered waiting until it was older to make the verdict so I could be for sure, but figured I might as well see what you guys have to say. What do you think, cockerel or pullet?

 

[sourland]

It's a pullet. 'Tails' may well be the poorest way of assessing gender.

 

[TheCopperCoop]

Your Australorp is a bit redder in the face and comb than mine were at 8 weeks (pics below). I'm still going to guess pullet though, now at 11 weeks old my two ladies have recently gotten more pink in their face and comb similar to yours.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Agree with pullet.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Pullet. I think she's red in the face right now because she's been picked up.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Pullet. I think she's red in the face right now because she's been picked up.

I agree. It's also been hot all over the US and wattles can be used for heat regulation as well so the extra redness is expected!

 

[Rebekahlb75]

It's a pullet. 'Tails' may well be the poorest way of assessing gender.

 

[April0617]

I say pullet! One of mine was red very early, and the other one was slower to mature BUT has a crazy high tail and a huge comb and waddles. If she wasn't laying daily I'd swear she was a "he"

 

[Obleo]

Pullet or roo?

 

[ThreeH]

I agree with the others. I think she is a pullet.