Black Australorp - Rooster or Hen?

[SEaton611]

Hey all,

At the end of March, I got four black australorp babies. One of them has a more defined wattle than the others, and its feathers look more "pointed." I read on the forum that pointy saddle feathers could likely mean the bird is a rooster. The other three have rounded feathers, and less of the iridescent green in their tail. Plus, the other three have much smaller, paler wattles.

I initially came here to find someone to take this rooster in, but now I'm not so sure (I've asked to have the swap posting taken down for now...). My mom has a couple australorps too, hens, and they have similar pointy feathers on their saddle as well.

Aside from the differences in feather shape and wattle, this bird is only slightly bigger than the others gets along well with MOST of the flock, with exception to one who has been injured. It doesn't crow, and I recall the last accidental rooster i got crowing very early on...

Could this be a hen who developed quicker? If so, I can get along with working on her bullying so she won't pick on my hen who was scalped and picked clean of feathers on her head and neck early in the integration to my existing flock. (A mistake on my part, but she's healing so well!)

Can anyone help me determine? I've attached pictures with arrows pointing at the bird in question. I can probably get more this week.

I appreciate any input y'all have!

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Oh yeah that one’s a cockerel for sure.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Cockerel

 

[EggWalrus]

Looks like a little Roo.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I honestly can't decide about the saddle feathers in the pictures. Can you post more pics of the saddle area?

 

[Folly's place]

Looks like a cockerel to me too.
Mary

 

[SEaton611]

Looks like a little Roo.

Well, when you put it this way it sounds cute. I really

I honestly can't decide about the saddle feathers in the pictures. Can you post more pics of the saddle area?

Yep! It's dark out now, but I'll post more when I have a chance to take some in the daylight!

 

[EggWalrus]

Well, when you put it this way it sounds cute. I really

Yep! It's dark out now, but I'll post more when I have a chance to take some in the daylight!

Get us some close up, clear pics from the side and from above and I'm sure some one here will give you a 100% accurate analysis of your cute little roo!
Woo Hoo!

 

[SEaton611]

Get us some close up, clear pics from the side and from above and I'm sure some one here will give you a 100% accurate analysis of your cute little roo!
Woo Hoo!

I have a couple that I got today. The chicken in question, Kylo, is the one with the brighter red wattle. I think, after staring at him for a good half hour today, folks will probably confirm my suspicion that he's a roo. His feathers are so different than my other three australorps. His personality is pretty good though, so...i might keep him.

Silly question - but if he stays and we have a couple fertilized eggs, will there be anything weird about those eggs if i harvest after a day and refrigerate? I know there won't be a partially formed chick in there, but want to know what I'm getting into. Thoughts?

 

[BreanneRN]

Yup, I think you called it right! It's a roo!