I thought these were ISA Brown pullets, but getting wattles so soon?!?

[Solanacae]

I have two 6-7 week (not sure exactly when they hatched) chicks. They were in a bin labeled “Assorted Rare Breeds” and I initially thought they were Buff Orps. The experts here on BYC helped me clear up my confusion over their darker feathers and ID’d them as red sex links. Since the store also had older ISA Browns, I’m guessing that’s what they are.

But I noticed that they are getting little wattles and there’s more color there than I’d expect to see in anything so young unless it was a cockerel. Can someone help me with these mystery chicks?

 

[EmmaEsme]

I'm a novice, but they look like pullets to me!

 

[Solanacae]

I'm a novice, but they look like pullets to me!

Thanks for the response! I’ve never had this kind of chicken before, so maybe getting wattles this early is normal for ISA’s. But they also have more color in their faces than I’m used to seeing in a pullet, so I’m not sure what to think!

 

[EmmaEsme]

Thanks for the response! I’ve never had this kind of chicken before, so maybe getting wattles this early is normal for ISA’s. But they also have more color in their faces than I’m used to seeing in a pullet, so I’m not sure what to think!

I cant say regarding the wattles, but the combs still look small and pale for that age to me. Thier feathers are quite young and messy yet for me to reliably use that to determine. I'm not good at sexing roos by saddle and hackle yet, unless they're older and it's quite obvious.

Random shot in the dark, but maybe ISAs and other commercial layers, because they are designed to lay so much and so fast, their development is a bit faster in some ways? No idea really, just making stuff up with possible logic!

 

[All4Eggz]

@Overo Mare
Pullets.

 

[Solanacae]

I cant say regarding the wattles, but the combs still look small and pale for that age to me. Thier feathers are quite young and messy yet for me to reliably use that to determine. I'm not good at sexing roos by saddle and hackle yet, unless they're older and it's quite obvious.

Random shot in the dark, but maybe ISAs and other commercial layers, because they are designed to lay so much and so fast, their development is a bit faster in some ways? No idea really, just making stuff up with possible logic!

I was thinking that might be what’s going on. All my other chickens are heritage breeds and didn’t mature this fast, but if these guys really do start laying at 18-20 weeks, then they’re almost halfway to maturity.

 

[Weeg]

I believe they are Pullets. ISA Browns have very large combs and waddles as adults, so I wouldn't' be concerned.
Plus, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they sex linked? Heres an image from Hoovers hatchery-

And cockerels should feather out like this-

 

[Solanacae]

I believe they are Pullets. ISA Browns have very large combs and waddles as adults, so I wouldn't' be concerned.
Plus, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they sex linked? Heres an image from Hoovers hatchery-

And cockerels should feather out like this-

Well, I’m reasonably sure they’re sex linked chicks - they certainly aren’t a Buff Orp or any other other “Assorted Rare Breeds” listed in the bin they were in. I really do think they’re pullets, but the red wattles and red that I was seeing at the base of the combs and by their ears made me second guess myself.