help!! something really strange is going on

Is there a way you can keep him/her separate from the others? Then when he/she gets up from sitting you'll know. However judging from 'his' appearance in the photo I would say 'he' is a she.

 

I agree, looks like a girl to me too.

 

At 6 months, you have 2 pretty ladies

 

Those are both pullets. Plymouth Barred Rock females are darker than the males and at 6 months the males have visible long, thin, pointy feathers around their necks, called hackle feathers. Those same types of feathers will grow in from between their wings and drape over their sides. Those are called saddle feathers. The sickle feathers (those long tail feathers) tend to take a little longer to grow in but there should still be a noticeable difference at that age.

Some cockerels and roosters will sit in the nests. They're "helping" by showing the girls where the good nesting spots are. Others may stand guard around the nests or even just outside the coop while "shouting words of encouragement" when the girls lay their eggs.

 

Both pullets, no male feathering on either.

 

Pullets

 

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Yes, those are both pullets! Congrats.

 

Those are both females.

Yes, the first one is a bit lighter overall than the second, but that's just normal variation with hatchery type stock. A pure male barred bird is much lighter overall, and by this point you'd see definite male characteristics. From the comb on that lady, I'm thinking she's laying eggs already.