Black Australorop-- is this a rooster?

[OwlandBear]

I have 5 Black Australorps. One is definitely a cockerel but my 7 year old twins insist this one is, too. I'm not so sure. This second bird isn't crowing (while Buck, the rooster, sings all day long) and doesn't have the comb development the other one does.




This is our rooster, Buck. You can just see The Chicken In Question looking at me in the front.


Whatever sex these birds are,Black Australorps are beautiful birds. I think I'm going to enjoy having them around.

 

[Michael OShay]

How old are they? Knowing their ages will help us sex them. You will enjoy having these Australorps. I have raised Black Australorps for many years (along with dozens of other breeds) and they are my favorite standard breed as they are very hardy, calm and gentle, and excellent layers of large, brown eggs.

 

[OwlandBear]

They are 12 weeks. Do they make good mommies? My boys want to breed them as well as keep them for eggs.

 

[Sunshine0235]

It looks like a roo also

 

[cowhlb]

Its a hen. No way its a cockerel.

 

[Sunshine0235]

Even with the pointy saddle feathers?

 

[cowhlb]

My hens have pointy saddle feathers. If it was a 'he' it should be as much developed as the other roo.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

At 12 weeks, no doubt you've got a roo. Give him a few weeks, he'll be crowing his head off too (that other roo looks quite a bit older than 12 weeks).

 

[cowhlb]

At 12 weeks, no doubt you've got a roo. Give him a few weeks, he'll be crowing his head off too (that other roo looks quite a bit older than 12 weeks).

If they are the same age 'it' is a pullet/hen.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

My hens have pointy saddle feathers. If it was a 'he' it should be as much developed as the other roo.

Every bird develops at their own pace but my guess is that the other bird is older. Here is a good example of the difference in saddle feathers https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/546104/saddle-feathers-male-or-female