Black Austerlorps maybe 19 weeks hens or roos?

[justtoni44]

They were so lucky to find you.great news about the care you gave them

 

[wingznut76]

I have four BA's about a month older than yours. Mine to came from less than ideal circumstances and that more than anything made up my mind to buy them. I am going to go against the grain a little and say the one in the back is for sure a roo, but the other two look like pullets to me. The roo's will develop a very shiny appearance and larger combs and wattles much sooner than pullets. Also the roo's will have pointy feathers near their tails, saddle area and I don't see that on the bottom chick...but those hackle feathers? Having said all that, time will tell.

 

[bchorse1]

Quote:
I was resigned that the one in the back was a roo and the middle one I was confident is a hen, but I was on the fence about the one in the front, too. How much longer do you think before it will be obvious?

 

[sunflowerenvy]

i believe your BA r young than 18 weeks old i have mine that r 18 old and my roo got a bigger head dress i could tell at 14 weeks. where r u located? i belive u have 2 roo to 1 pullet.

btw do i see that u also have campine chick too?

 

[Lbrad7]

Quote:
I was resigned that the one in the back was a roo and the middle one I was confident is a hen, but I was on the fence about the one in the front, too. How much longer do you think before it will be obvious?

I am in total agreement with you in that the top is a roo for sure, the second is a pullet for sure but the one on the bottom, I have been going back and foreth over. It looks like an older pullet to me. The tail doesn't look right for a roo to me at that age and I dont see enough pointed feathers in the cape. If its not actually older than the other birds, it could possibly just be a bird that is maturing earlier than the others.

 

[wingznut76]

I was resigned that the one in the back was a roo and the middle one I was confident is a hen, but I was on the fence about the one in the front, too. How much longer do you think before it will be obvious?

As I said mine are about a month older and I still am on the fence with one of them. I keep wondering if mine were all the same age when purchased. The two that were larger are the two for sure roo's tho. I will try to get some good pics and post maybe that will help.​

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

Here is an 11-12 week old pullet with same age boy in the back for comparison. Sorry I don`t have a better side shot of any of my boys of that age. You can also check the legs (which don`t show in your photo) the boys will have thicker legs.

I have to decide on a roo to keep here too. Need a younger one and I have narrowed it to two one with lovely conformation...the other has an imperfect comb (two many bumpies) but a lovely disposition. So tough to tell and its not like I can go back on the decision when the option is a one way trip to freezer camp!
Wonderful that you have given yours a happy and healthy home. Lucky birds.