Black Australorp, rooster or hen?

[rqceili]

I have two beautiful black australorps in my flock, one is much beefier than the other, it doesn't crow or try to breed with the other chicks but it also doesn't lay eggs. He/she is one year old and should be doing something one way or the other. Any ideas?

 

[sourland]

A year old rooster should have pointy hackle and saddle feathers.

 

[myfinefeatheredfriends]

A rooster will also have a larger comb/wattles and should be crowing by now. Sometimes hens won't lay if they are going through molt, stressed, sick, etc.

 

[rqceili]

If saddle feathers means a very feathery bottom, then yes he/she has that. I don't know what you mean by pointy hackle. If I knew how I would try to send a picture, I'm not very computer savvy.

 

[rqceili]

Thank you, this guy/girl looks to be the picture of health. The headgear is slightly larger than the hen but not remarkably so.

 

[chickwhispers]

Welcome to BYC!!!!!

Here is a link to a good guide to start with. It should help you learn some basics. Welcome And Good Luck!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/my-feather-anatomy-guide

 

[shannondee12]

Without a pic, my guess is hen. I have seen hens be a year old before they started laying but I've never seen a rooster a year old before it crowed. Also, if the comb isn't that much larger than the other hens, it is more than likely a hen. Of course, that is just a guess.

 

[rqceili]

Thank you for that link, it is very helpful. I had chickens when I was younger but never knew what all their parts were called in that much detail. I guess I will have to wait and see what progresses when the weather warms up and the days get longer. Maybe it's a hen after all and just a late bloomer.

 

[chickwhispers]

Thank you for that link, it is very helpful. I had chickens when I was younger but never knew what all their parts were called in that much detail. I guess I will have to wait and see what progresses when the weather warms up and the days get longer. Maybe it's a hen after all and just a late bloomer.

You're welcome! I've heard of hens who end up waiting until their second spring before they start laying but either way Good luck to you on this! When you find out please let us know!