Cockerel or Pullet?

[Sahraschweiss]

I got five Asian Blacks from Rural King six weeks ago ( I am wondering if ABs are miscellaneous black chicks the hatchery couldn't remember what kind they were supposed to be). Anyway, there's one I'm thinking is a roo. This one is slightly bigger and has a little more comb than the others, but it was always that way from week one. This is a sweet bird that loves cuddles. Here's the pics:

 

[NatJ]

Might be a male. Some pullets get their combs early, too, which can be confusing
Sweet and loving to cuddle seem to be common descriptions of cockerels, but plenty of pullets do too.

The nice clear photos are good! It sometimes also helps to have photo that includes other chicks in the batch--that makes it easy to see how much bigger and redder the comb is (at least for me, I just cannot keep straight what size comb is normal for a certain number of weeks old, but it's often easy to see differences when several birds are pictured.)

You will probably know for sure in a few more weeks or months: comb gets bigger, crowing starts, saddle/hackle feathers grow in with pointy ends-- or comb gets bigger, no crowing, saddle/hackle feathers stay rounded, eggs eventually appear!

That is one pretty bird, no matter what he/she is!

 

[Sahraschweiss]

Thanks for the reply. Here are more pictures.
It's the middle bird. All three purchased at same time as Asian Blacks

Under the arrow of 5 ABs

Wyandotte on the left. Bird in question on right.

And the Wyandotte by herself

 

[NatJ]

The one you think is a cockerel--I think you're probably right.
I'm a little suspicious of a few of your other birds, too, but won't be sure for a few more weeks.

Just FYI: your Wyandotte has the "wrong" kind of comb. (This happens sometimes--no big deal for a backyard pet, but would disqualify the bird from a poultry show. The chicken won't care at all.)

Out of curiosity--what are your plans for the Asian Blacks? If you intend to eat them, then males might be better than females: they do tend to grow a bit faster and larger.

 

[Mak7ali]

Its tough to say for certain but maybe cockerel..

 

[Sahraschweiss]

I can give it time. Thanks!

 

[Sahraschweiss]

NatJ,
The 5 Asian Blacks are co-op birds my city friend wanted. Definitely eggs, maybe meat. My kid is fond of two of five. I have 3 Wyandottes, and all have the single comb (there's a couple of them I'm not sure on either). To finish the flock of 14, I have 3 ISAs and 3 Speckled Sussex. The three ISAs should all be girls due to their color, and the Speckleds look to all be pullets as they have small combs at 6 weeks. All the chicks came from Rural King / Hoover's Hatchery.

This is a first time for me having chickens, so I'm learning as I go.

 

[NatJ]

Sounds like a nice flock! Yes, there is a lot to learn.

I'm a bit concerned if you are wanting eggs from the Asian Blacks--they're typically sold as meat birds, so they may not be very healthy or very productive if you try to keep them on as egg layers. They will be more inclined to get fat, as compared with most other kinds of chickens. (But they will not be as bad as Cornish Cross, which are an extreme example of fast growth and early obesity.)

 

[Sahraschweiss]

The ABs were advertised as being dual purpose and having 200-250 eggs a year. I see how it goes.

Thanks!

 

[NatJ]

If they're saying dual purpose and listing egg production estimates, then maybe it's a different strain than the ones I've read about. (Or maybe I mis-remembered what I read. That happens sometimes too.) Hopefully they work well for you!