Hen or Roo?? 8 month old blue splash orpington. Doesn't lay, doesn't crow. Head of a roo, tail of a hen. Maybe she is confused??

[Melaniegil]

 

[sylviethecochin]

That's definitely a hen's body, and the comb is small for a roo. It's not unheard of for a hen to produce some extra male hormones.

 

[Tookie]

Pullet!

 

[Melaniegil]

View attachment 3524138

I have never heard that! Got to check that out.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree, pullet. Also rounded hackle feathers, not pointy, and female saddle feathering too.
Mary

 

[BastyPutt]

Not a cockerel, or a pullet. A hen.

 

[Tookie]

Not a cockerel, or a pullet. A hen.

A female under the age of one year is considered a pullet.

 

[BastyPutt]

A female under the age of one year is considered a pullet.

missed the title

 

[Saveria]

Is it common for that breed to lay so late?

 

[BastyPutt]

Orpington's usually don't lay until 6 months or so, at least around here that seems to be the norm.

This chicken would have also hatched in October. I have a theory (absolutely nothing at all that can be supported or proven, just my experience) that the winter lay shortages also affect a pullets laying clock, meaning just like a hen, their development is effected by it too, and ultimately it is going to take a bit longer to lay their first egg as a result.

Again, it isn't something I stand behind, just an observation - we just have broodys hatching through september/October usually, and those babies seem to take longer to lay than the babies born in the spring/late winter.