Black Australorp Feathering

[Ambersquared]

Hi all!
First time chick momma here and I got 2.5 week old babies that I love. 2 of the 5 chicks we got are black australorps (we ordered one but the hatchery gave us a bonus baby). We ordered pullets, and we’ve been noticing one is feathing significantly slower than all the other chicks, including it’s australorp sibling.
Here is a side by side of the two australorps. Poppy on the left feathering like the other 3 chicks and Persephone on the right with slow feathering compared to the rest. Is this an indicator of potential cockerel?
Thanks in advance!

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome to BYC!
I think the fact that they sent an extra chick as a warmer is your best indication that he's a cockerel. They don't give away the pullet chicks.

 

[Ambersquared]

Welcome to BYC!
I think the fact that they sent an extra chick as a warmer is your best indication that he's a cockerel. They don't give away the pullet chicks.

That was my suspicion haha. Thank you for the response!

 

[3KillerBs]

If it's a male you should know in 2-3 weeks from now.

My Australorp boys put their combs up early -- almost always by 4-5 weeks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How fast they feather out isn't an indication of sex. If it were only that easy.

I understand what Dobie is saying. Hatcheries always have a lot more males than pullets because half that hatch are boys but most people prefer the girls and that is what they order. Certain hatcheries add extra chicks, called packing peanuts, to orders so the extra body heat can help keep them all warm during shipping, especially if the weather is expected to be bad. These are going to be the excess boys. This body heat is why some hatcheries have minimum numbers of chicks you can order at certain times of the year. Since you only ordered 4 to start with this is a possibility.

One time I received an extra chick with my order. I got 28 chicks instead of the 27 I ordered. I'd ordered 6 Buff Orp and received 7, all pullets. I think what happened was they had an excess of Buff Orp pullets hatch that time so they tossed in an extra pullet. Not as a packing peanut for the body heat but in case a chick died so I'd still be a satisfied customer with the order. That kept them from having to deal with a chick they didn't need and kept it alive.

I have no idea what sex those two BA's are. Both could be girls, both could be boys, or you may have one of each. Time will tell. BA's are usually fairly easy to sex compared to some breeds. In another three weeks post a photo of each's head showing comb and wattles, we'll look for size and color. Also a body shot showing the legs, profile, and posture can be helpful. A boy's legs are usually longer and thicker. Many boys have a distinct profile and an upright posture.

 

[Ambersquared]

How fast they feather out isn't an indication of sex. If it were only that easy.

I understand what Dobie is saying. Hatcheries always have a lot more males than pullets because half that hatch are boys but most people prefer the girls and that is what they order. Certain hatcheries add extra chicks, called packing peanuts, to orders so the extra body heat can help keep them all warm during shipping, especially if the weather is expected to be bad. These are going to be the excess boys. This body heat is why some hatcheries have minimum numbers of chicks you can order at certain times of the year. Since you only ordered 4 to start with this is a possibility.

One time I received an extra chick with my order. I got 28 chicks instead of the 27 I ordered. I'd ordered 6 Buff Orp and received 7, all pullets. I think what happened was they had an excess of Buff Orp pullets hatch that time so they tossed in an extra pullet. Not as a packing peanut for the body heat but in case a chick died so I'd still be a satisfied customer with the order. That kept them from having to deal with a chick they didn't need and kept it alive.

I have no idea what sex those two BA's are. Both could be girls, both could be boys, or you may have one of each. Time will tell. BA's are usually fairly easy to sex compared to some breeds. In another three weeks post a photo of each's head showing comb and wattles, we'll look for size and color. Also a body shot showing the legs, profile, and posture can be helpful. A boy's legs are usually longer and thicker. Many boys have a distinct profile and an upright posture.

Thank you so much for this very detailed and informative response. I will definitely post updated pictures in a few weeks!

 

[Ambersquared]

Almost five week update! I’m assuming we gotta wait a little longer but sharing some progression pictures.
He/she is the super sweet but also the most afraid of all. Since they are the slowest in feathering when the others would be roosting on the brooder they’d be chirping below nonstop until I’d help them up. They seem the most skiddish and afraid of change but enjoy cuddles! So far no signs of being being bossy, if anything they tend to lay low.
(Don’t mind my dirty wash room. They’ve been out in the run during the day but today’s winds and coldness are a bit intense and I didn’t want to leave them out with the cold winds this morning.)

 

[3KillerBs]

Almost five week update! I’m assuming we gotta wait a little longer but sharing some progression pictures.
He/she is the super sweet but also the most afraid of all. Since they are the slowest in feathering when the others would be roosting on the brooder they’d be chirping below nonstop until I’d help them up. They seem the most skiddish and afraid of change but enjoy cuddles! So far no signs of being being bossy, if anything they tend to lay low.
(Don’t mind my dirty wash room. They’ve been out in the run during the day but today’s winds and coldness are a bit intense and I didn’t want to leave them out with the cold winds this morning.)

That's a pullet.

My Australorp boys have a LOT more comb at that age.

 

[Ambersquared]

That's a pullet.

My Australorp boys have a LOT more comb at that age.

I would love them regardless but my husband was really attached to Persephone haha and hoping he wouldn’t have to change it to Hades (Greek mythology geek) haha

 

[Ambersquared]

That's a pullet.

My Australorp boys have a LOT more comb at that age.

Would you mind if I tap into your wealth if australorp knowledge?
This is poppy (we think she’s pullet) her comb color is very different from everyone with black specks and pink and also slightly tilted to the left. Its always tilted and it looks like it’s straightening out more with time. Is this something we should pay close attention to long term?