Australorp sexing

[Indyshent]

I'm thinking all pullets as well. By that age, my Leghorn hens had bigger combs than any of my boys--big red ones at that. Boys should have noticeably different feathering by that point (and a much bigger comb than your girl has). She's just close to lay, imo.

 

[TheWolfRaven]

Close to lay already?

I've heard this breed comes into lay 28-30 weeks.

I have them all on grower at them moment, should I be giving them layer feed now? Or offering them shell grit?
I've heard shell grit can hurt development at an early age, I was thinking of starting on grit in a week or so, but I am able to start ASAP if needed.

 

[Indyshent]

Closer to it than the other girls. Her comb's not all the way there yet, or at least, I don't think so. That said, I had a Leghorn laying at 16wks.

Giving them all layer feed at this point might cause kidney problems, so I'd wait to go strictly onto layer feed until five months or point of lay.

Grit and oyster shell are two different things. Grit should always be available, and lots of keepers have shell around too (mixed age flocks mostly) so I don't think it should be too big of a deal to start keeping it around. It's not a terribly tasty thing from what I understand so I don't think anyone's going to be gorging on it and hurting themselves. Some keepers have found larger pieces of shell beneficial because they double as grit for the purposes of helping the birds grind their food.

 

[Wyandottes7]

All of them are pullets.

 

[BantamLover21]

They all look like pullets to me, who are getting close to laying.

 

[WSU alum]

is this a hen or roo? ~5Months with no crowing. we have no other roosters. "PUMA" Follows our one hen arround. not pertective though, More like she just doesnt want ti getleft behind.

 

[WSU alum]

 

[TheWolfRaven]

All of chicken #2 'Omellete' again.
Approx 24 weeks.
Still no crowing...
Actually, I've been hearing what appear to be the 'egg song', but no eggs as of yet *sigh*

 

[Peep-Chicken]

All of chicken #2 'Omellete' again.
Approx 24 weeks.
Still no crowing...
Actually, I've been hearing what appear to be the 'egg song', but no eggs as of yet *sigh*

Hmm, I'm thinking female.

 

[TheWolfRaven]

I can confirm hen! Found this little beaut this morning!