This is a barred chick, right? Obviously not a recognized color on an Araucana, but the chick is double tufted and rumpless. A pretty chick, in my opinion.
I don't think she'll be barred. Did she have a white spot on her head when she hatched? That's the indicator of barring. It can be hard to see on a non black bird, but it'll be there.
More updated picture. I'm more learning towards cockerel. But Araucanas can be rather difficult. I had a pullet who was looking SO boyish for the longest time, very red, developed, prominent comb and wattles. Nope, turned out to be a girl! Pictures taken today.
What a beauty! And double tufted ... wow! I'm going to guess that the pattern on the feathers that looks similar to barring is "juvenile autosomal barring." On the chickens I've got that start displaying it when they are 5 weeks or so, it disappears when they are adults. Some of them end up looking pencilled (pattern gene Pg in one dose or two) as adults. My partridge rocks (which are called pencilled) showed juvenile autosomal barring as chicks, but came out pencilled as adults. I'm not sure that juvenile autosomal barring always indicates the pattern gene is involved because I once had a supposed pure Black Copper Marans, which genetically is not supposed to have the pattern gene, that displayed juvenile autosomal barring at 5 - 7 weeks. His chest did end up laced, but that can be a feature of Birchen and unrelated to pattern gene pencilling/lacing. I didn't end up using him for breeding, just for the record. I believe that what looks like barring on your chick's feathers will molt out and not be seen in the adult plumage.
wow, she/he is pretty whatever she/he is. I definetly agree that araucanas can be SO hard to sex though. We have two that we just CAN'T figure out the gender to. anyway, good luck whit your beautiful bird
