Does slow feathering always = rooster?

[BrickCoop15]

I recently ordered 3 lavender orpington pullets from a well known hatchery. They are currently 2 weeks old. The first one has fully developed wing feathers and a short tail. The second one has some wing feather growth and no tail. The third one has not grown any feathers at all.

Does this mean I ended up with 2 cockerels or do pullets somtimes feather out extremely slow too? Has anyone had an extremely slow feathering chick turn out to be a pullet.?

 

[JedJackson]

No, slow feathering does not always mean you have a male. Females can and do develop at different rates from each other.

 

[BrickCoop15]

No, slow feathering does not always mean you have a male. Females can and do develop at different rates from each other.

Thanks! My last two slow to feather chicks ended up being roosters. Now, I am paranoid when I see variations in development.

 

[JedJackson]

Thanks! My last two slow to feather chicks ended up being roosters. Now, I am paranoid when I see variations in development.

That makes sense but I wouldn't worry about it at this stage. Watch for growth and color in combs and wattles. Those are the best indicators.

 

[TropicalBabies]

I've had a few pullets very slow to feather out. One with a very red face and big and slow to feather and very boyish coloring. they do keep us guessing...

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

I have seen that the two sexes delop feathers at different rates. I.E if half have lots of feathers and half are still fuzz then you can kinda separate out which are which.

 

[BrickCoop15]

Thanks for the replies! It is interesting to hear what others have observed in the chicks they have raised.

 

[DebbieMarler]

Thanks! My last two slow to feather chicks ended up being roosters. Now, I am paranoid when I see variations in development.

I have The slowest feathering chicken alive! Maybe not but it sure feels like it. I knew he was a rooster when I got him. He just looks pitiful And he's old enough to be fully feathers He's an Isabelle cuckoo Orpington.

 

[McChooky]

Some breeds feather out faster than others. Pullets usually feather out faster than a roo. Once you learn the characteristics of the breeds you're raising it should get easier.

 

[McChooky]

This is not a comprehensive list but it does list the most common breeds. http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparisonedited.pdf