I think this 14-15 week old is a cockerel, am I wrong?

[BigBlueHen53]

See how a male's hackle feathers are so long they cover his shoulders. Relax, she's a pullet.

 

[Hazel feather]

Definitely a pullet ! She’s adorable !

 

[redinator]

The thing that make me worry the most are the neck feathers being around an inch further down the neck and pointier. Also, I might be delusional, but some short tail feathers look to start to curl in the bunch. All my chickens are barred rock and some are mixes, mostly with ameraucana. Sisters have rounder neck feathers that end earlier on the neck. This chicken does have the white wing tips which I see are common in BR females, so I really hope this chicken is a female. This chicken also has more black than white in her coat, but my other barred rock ameraucana mix rooster has a similar thing, has more black than white and still has the barring. Has the very similar neck feather shape and speckles of brown on the back and wing. The rooster's sister (same father and mother) has no speckling and a much darker less visible barring than he has. However, back to the neck, I've only heard a little bit about differences in the neck feather shape being able to differentiate males from females. Should I throw away the idea that neck feathers can show signs of sex?

I'm not certain on this but, unless you got all your ameraucana from the same breeds/flock, I think the differences are because ameraucana are cross breeds that lay colored eggs. Technically your pullet(s) has/have a minimum of three breeds going into their genetics.

At least that's what I understand about ameraucanas, but I could be wrong.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm not certain on this but, unless you got all your ameraucana from the same breeds/flock, I think the differences are because ameraucana are cross breeds that lay colored eggs. Technically your pullet(s) has/have a minimum of three breeds going into their genetics.

At least that's what I understand about ameraucanas, but I could be wrong.

Um, I don't think so, Red. A true Ameraucana is a purebred. But the bird in question here is a crossbreed, half Barred Rock. You may be thinking about the Americana (note spelling) which is actually an Easter Egger. One of the best ways to know the difference is by what one paid for it. A true Ameraucana will cost from $15 to $20 per chick, compared to $3 to $5 for the other.

 

[MROO]

Congratulations! It's a Girl!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

I'm not certain on this but, unless you got all your ameraucana from the same breeds/flock, I think the differences are because ameraucana are cross breeds that lay colored eggs. Technically your pullet(s) has/have a minimum of three breeds going into their genetics.

At least that's what I understand about ameraucanas, but I could be wrong.

Okay so: an Ameraucana is a pure breed that breeds true. Easter Eggers are a mixed breed but some lines are almost a landrace breed of sorts. What I’m referring to are the mixes often sold as Americanas. These were imported to the US in the 70s and often have pea combs, green legs, and beards. These birds were actually used to develop the Ameraucana breed. So Easter Eggers can be from the same flock from generations but since there are no breed standard, are still a mixed breed. There are now Legbar-derived Eggers which are actual new hatchery mixes and I wouldn’t categorize them with the latter two.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Looks like a point of lay pullet to me. Are your other birds the same breed? Comparing things like neck thickness and leg thickness between breeds doesn't really help.

I'm still new, so wait or others to weigh in.

While it is a pullet, it’s nowhere near point of lay. Point of lay refers to when the comb and wattles are very bright red and developed. This girl is likely months away from laying

 

[redinator]

Um, I don't think so, Red. A true Ameraucana is a purebred. But the bird in question here is a crossbreed, half Barred Rock. You may be thinking about the Americana (note spelling) which is actually an Easter Egger. One of the best ways to know the difference is by what one paid for it. A true Ameraucana will cost from $15 to $20 per chick, compared to $3 to $5 for the other.

I did miss the spelling, thanks.

 

[redinator]

Okay so: an Ameraucana is a pure breed that breeds true. Easter Eggers are a mixed breed but some lines are almost a landrace breed of sorts. What I’m referring to are the mixes often sold as Americanas. These were imported to the US in the 70s and often have pea combs, green legs, and beards. These birds were actually used to develop the Ameraucana breed. So Easter Eggers can be from the same flock from generations but since there are no breed standard, are still a mixed breed. There are now Legbar-derived Eggers which are actual new hatchery mixes and I wouldn’t categorize them with the latter two.

Aren't there enough breeds already, lol. I can't possibly collect them all, lol

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Aren't there enough breeds already, lol. I can't possibly collect them all, lol

That's why there's BYC and we share pics. We can love 'em all vicariously!