black australorp - cockerel or pullet?

[Wishing4Wings]

oops!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

We have a black australorp and in the sunlight the feathers look iridescent green. I don't have a good picture to show this, but I was told that is one of the features of this breed, which is why my son wanted it...he named it Sprite (like the green soda bottle).

Yes, they are lovely. Who would have thought that a "plain" black chicken could be so beautiful. There is a dedicated Australorp thread that you might enjoy. Australorps breed Thread

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Is this one a pullet? Could be, but it's really hard to say without knowing the age.






Is this a roo coming toward me? IF I have this right I think I have 7 or more roos in the BA's.






pullet to the right?





looks like about 4 roos in this batch of BA's in this pic.
In the lower group of 4, the bird second from the top has visible red comb and wattles. Depending on age, it could be a pullet maturing more quickly than the others (if they're around 12 weeks), but is likely a cockerel (maybe 8-10 weeks?) The one pictured above shows no red, and is quite certainly a pullet. Usually the difference in the combs is apparent by 5-6 weeks, sometimes earlier.



2 roos? The one on the left has the lanky look of a cockerel and not a pullet shape. Red comb/wattles will make you fairly sure it's a boy. Can't see enough of the one on the right to tell.

pullet? You can see the blue green color on this one.


Anyway I am hoping I am figuring how HOW to tell cockerals from pullets.

I am by no means an expert about this. There is a thread that would have more knowledgeable folks Australorps breed Thread
Generally you have to rely on the red combs and wattles to tell the cockerels. The pullets don't get very red until they get closer to point of lay. Australorps are tricky because of the solid color for both sexes. In addition to larger red combs and wattles, the males will start growing hackle and saddle feathers that are thin, pointy and very shiny/glassy. Don't know if there is a particular age for BAs, but saddles usually start to grow by 11-12 weeks and you can part the feathers along the back near the tail to see if they are on their way. Pullets have shorter rounded feathers in these areas. Good luck!

 

[RoseMarie1]

I have 4 black australorps around 3.5 months old. Just by comparing them to mine I would say that the original chicken in question is a rooster. He is very beautiful!

Thank you!

 

[RoseMarie1]

opps sorry, double post.


I think I have like 7 roos in this batch of BA's that I have 23 of. Might even be more than 7. They're almost 3 months old now. I think the 9th of Aug. they will be 3 months old. I saw one mounting one of my RIR pullets today.

 

[RoseMarie1]

I am by no means an expert about this. There is a thread that would have more knowledgeable folks Australorps breed Thread
Generally you have to rely on the red combs and wattles to tell the cockerels. The pullets don't get very red until they get closer to point of lay. Australorps are tricky because of the solid color for both sexes. In addition to larger red combs and wattles, the males will start growing hackle and saddle feathers that are thin, pointy and very shiny/glassy. Don't know if there is a particular age for BAs, but saddles usually start to grow by 11-12 weeks and you can part the feathers along the back near the tail to see if they are on their way. Pullets have shorter rounded feathers in these areas. Good luck!

thank you! They were about 2 1/2 months old in this pic. I'm sort of waiting for someone to get home from off shore because he had said he's take all the ones I wanted to get rid of. I don't want to keep but 1 roo from the bunch and only about 10 of the hens I am thinking. I also have 1 black sex link in this batch as well and that's a female. Thank you again.

 

[RoseMarie1]

and I am STILL trying to figure out who is who. lol got to do something because I need to get rid of some of them.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

and I am STILL trying to figure out who is who. lol got to do something because I need to get rid of some of them.

Well, you'll know pretty soon because the boys will start crowing! Maybe you could post some new pics.

For comparison, here is my hatchery pullet at 16 wks, before she started laying. If yours are from a breeder you can usually expect them to mature more slowly if they are using show or heritage stock, so the wait is longer.

 

[RoseMarie1]

Well, you'll know pretty soon because the boys will start crowing! Maybe you could post some new pics.

For comparison, here is my hatchery pullet at 16 wks, before she started laying. If yours are from a breeder you can usually expect them to mature more slowly if they are using show or heritage stock, so the wait is longer.

I did just that today. lol and the link is below. Kurt is saying the red ones at my chicks age are cockerels and the small combs are pullets. I have 9-10 can't remember pullets and the rest are cockerels. ouchhhhhh 22 chicks and THAT many cockerels. Told someone I'd sell em 4 pullets and so that will only leave me with 6 now IF indeed I have 10. I have RIR's to though plus I could always get me some more I guess if these turn out really great. THANX!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/316084/australorps-breed-thread/3820



oh and some of them HAVE started trying to crow. I haven't been out there to see which ones but I can hear them and they're a hoot! I know on the RIR's but not the BA'S. It's soooo cute listening to them try to crow.