Is this a rooster?

[a_harrison9]

Is this a rooster? He is now 18 weeks old and these pics are from when he was 15 weeks. He developed his comb and wattle earlier than the rest of the flock. I just wanted to be sure I was right about him. I added a picture of a chicken I knew was a hen at the end for reference.

 

[Medodge]

Yep

 

[a_harrison9]

Yep

Okay thank you. I wanted to be sure but we are keeping him regardless. He managed to become my favorite unfortunately lol.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Definitely a cockerel. Everything about him says "male." The big red comb and wattles, the long-legged, upright stance (some of that may be due to his breed, but still); the long, pointy hackle feathers (on the neck); the beginnings of long, pointy saddle feathers (on the rump behind the wings) and the red coloration of the feathers on the shoulders, a typically male pattern. Google "differences between hen and rooster" and you should find a clear chart to guide you.

 

[a_harrison9]

Definitely a cockerel. Everything about him says "male." The big red comb and wattles, the long-legged, upright stance (some of that may be due to his breed, but still); the long, pointy hackle feathers (on the neck); the beginnings of long, pointy saddle feathers (on the rump behind the wings) and the red coloration of the feathers on the shoulders, a typically male pattern. Google "differences between hen and rooster" and you should find a clear chart to guide you.

Thank you. I try looking up the difference and i understand the saddle and hackle feathers but just when I think I have one figured out, it’s the opposite! This chicken was supposed to be an australorp, but apparently he is not full australorp because of the copper on him. No idea what he is mixed with.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Where did you get him?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Wonder if he could be an Easter Egger.
@Perris, what do you think?
@troyer, do you have a guess?

 

[a_harrison9]

Where did you get him?

I got him from a local hatchery near where I live. I’m not sure if the local hatchery got the eggs from somewhere or actually had an australorp pair and used his own eggs. I have at least 2 other birds with this coloring on them that are hens. The rest of them are pure bred australorps. I thought it was crazy this guy got mixed in with the bunch because I was told they were all australorps.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Could you take or send a pic of this cockerel - and the not-pb* hens - to the breeder and ask if he has any ideas about it? If someone is supposed to be supplying him with hatching eggs from pb parent stock and isn't, he needs to know about it. If he is selling Aus chickens in good faith, he should be willing to either refund you for the non-pb chickens or replace them. IMO.

*pb = purebred.

 

[Perris]

Wonder if he could be an Easter Egger.
@Perris, what do you think?
@troyer, do you have a guess?

I am not familiar with Easter Eggers so couldn't say. Definitely think it's a male though.