Australorps...Roo or ??

[Valley Girl]

This is our first time at raising Australorps....we have 10....9 which we believe to be 10 weeks old and one that is 13 weeks old.The oldest one is looking like a Roo but I'm not sure.I seen a thread on here but now I can't find it

We have no idea what sex they are but had hoped to be getting all hens.......but one Rooster would be fine
We also have 29 brown layers....as you can see I don't know the proper lingo for this forum

I'm new at this part....we have been raising meat kings for several years and this is our first time at egg layers

The majority of them have black beaks and combs....??? not sure what that means either.

I have a few pictures....not that good but I hope you can help me out.Thanks so much. Val

 

[gritsar]

I believe you have a rooster in your henhouse. Second pic.

 

[hinkjc]

Are you sure they aren't sumatra? The dark pigment on the face makes me think they aren't australorps.

 

[Chickens in Elmwood]

Here is a pic of one of my australorp girls at 13 weeks. See how pink her skin and comb are around her eyes? I have three pullets and they all look that way, no black around the eyes. Not sure what that means. Maybe I don't have BAs?


Regardless, I would say that your second pic is a cockerel. But, what do I know, I am new at this, too.

 

[Dustin Biery]

Their combs arent right for Sumatras either. I do not think they are full BA. Their combs and wattles should be pink/red, not black.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

This is my Black Australorp hen from this past winter.

And what she looks like now.

 

[Valley Girl]

Well I think we all agree I have a Rooster

The other nine.....well I wasn't too sure until I seen Year Of The Rooster's pictures. I would guess that the black comb will change as she matures.....here's hoping.
I went out and took another "better" picture of Rooster......LOL
Thanks for all your comments and pictures.....I think its becoming rather clear that we have a mixed bag in these 10

I can't wait to see how they change over the next few months.

 

[Judy]

Your "rooster" still could turn out to be a hen. Look at Year of the Rooster's hen, how big the comb and wattles are. I have a BA hen who is around 1 1/2 years and hers are even bigger. I promise she gives me eggs!

 

[Valley Girl]

I was wondering about that....so other than those two features.....how do you tell whether it's a rooster or a hen? They are quite similar

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
That is definitely a cockerel. My australorp is 10 MONTHS old.