Delaware - 20 weeks. Roo or Hen?

[urbancknmama]

Hi Everyone! My hubby and I are in the process of raising chicks from a couple days old. They are now between the ages of 18-23 weeks. We bought them all as pullets. But I have recently found out there is a 10% chance they were not sexed right./ I am beginning to think my Delware, who we call sparkles because she loves dust baths, is a roo and not a hen... Any help determining would be much appreciated!!! <3

 

[chickieluv123]

She looks like a hen to me

 

[sawilliams]

I'd go with hen. Unless she's younger then you say most roosters start getting thier tails and other key feathers at 12-14 weeks, and thier combs as early as 8 weeks (I think). Also you would have likely heard someone at least trying to crow. Her beautiful red comb might just be because she is close to laying.

The 10% is sort of a standard error rate, though I've read some hatchery will fill in and order 1 or 2 over with males to "keep the heat" more birds, more to huddle, less chance of getting cold in transport; or to supplement for the possible 10% lost in travel, as some simple can't survive the trip.

 

[junebuggena]

Need to see a shot that really shows the feathering on the back very clearly.

 

[hnichols]

pullet i reckon

 

[BantamFan4Life]

pullet

 

[drumstick diva]

pullet

 

[urbancknmama]

Thanks everyone!! You were all right, in fact, I think she started laying today!

 

[drumstick diva]