Hen or roo 17 week orpington?

[Bb8]

This friend was one of 4 “girls” we’ve been raising since the spring (one of two buffs and the kiddos favorite). She’s always been bigger/friendlier but I just noticed how big and red her wattle and comb are compared to her sister of the same age whose is pretty much non-existent. I’m really starting to suspect roo which would be a huge issue for our tiny backyard flock as she can’t stay if she is a he. Thoughts? Can they really be THAT different from another with the same hatch date?

 

[sourland]

She's a pullet maturing faster than her flock mate.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Pullet

 

[Bb8]

She's a pullet maturing faster than her flock mate.

So that is a thing? I always assumed they mature pretty closely since they have the same hatch date

 

[jpalmatier83]

So that is a thing? I always assumed they mature pretty closely since they have the same hatch date

It is. And typically they do. But yours? Hope you’ve got the nesting boxes out and are ready for eggs soon!

 

[Tookie]

Definitely a pullet!

 

[Tookie]

So that is a thing? I always assumed they mature pretty closely since they have the same hatch date

Yes, it is a thing.
Most of the time they do mature closely, but not always.