Help! Rooster or Hen?

[Chicken Strut]

Here's a diagram to show you where to look on the bird for the emergence of saddle feathers:

 

[sundancepm]

Thank you.

 

[Chicken Strut]

You're very welcome. Fingers crossed that it's a pullet!

 

[sundancepm]

I think these are saddle feathers. Thoughts? Rooster? Hen?

 

[sundancepm]

 

[Chicken Strut]

IMO, those are not the thin, shiny, sharply pointed saddle feathers of a cockerel. Pullets get more rounded, drapey feathers in the same spot (base of the upright tail) by 17 weeks.

 

[Chicken Strut]

I'll also add that my little bantam rooster has tried to mate with "her" a few times but not as often as others. Is that any indication?

Roosters sometimes mount younger males as a sign of domination, so it's not a definitive sign.

 

[sundancepm]

Thank you for your thoughts/opinions/expertise! Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Chicken Strut]

Maybe this will help. Compare the langshan pullet on the left with the langshan cockerel on the right. She has some soft, shortish feathers falling over each other just before her tail. His saddle feathers, on the other hand, are long, thin, pointed, and iridescent.

 

[sundancepm]

Thanks a bunch! I've looked at sooo many pictures trying to figure it out. I know I can just wait and see but its driving me a little nuts because she is my favorite and I soo want her to be hen! I just adore her. It's funny because a few weeks ago she looked exactly like the pullet pic you showed, but lately she has the curly tail feathers (if not saddle) and bigger, dark comb and wattles. Guess it will just be a waiting game to be 100% sure, but the opinions I've gotten here so far were pullet. I read that Langshan's often don't lay until 24-28 weeks so I have at least 6 weeks yet if her age was correct when I purchased her at 12 weeks. Thanks again for your input, it's greatly appreciated!