Lets play spot the ROO - buff sussex UPDATE!!

[stormylady]

Little concerned that maybe Ruby has hackle feathers, other wise she looks all girl. Hmmm

 

[moodlymoo]

Quote:
I thought so too but was shot down quickly

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
I thought so too but was shot down quickly

LOL! well I guess time will tell, she is a little tricky.

 

[bloom_ss]

Quote:
I thought so too but was shot down quickly

LOL! well I guess time will tell, she is a little tricky.

I think Ruby is a roo also. The reason why there appears to be no saddle feathers is because they have obviously been plucked out.

 

[kittykat01]

Quote:
LOL! well I guess time will tell, she is a little tricky.

I think Ruby is a roo also. The reason why there appears to be no saddle feathers is because they have obviously been plucked out.

That's true, she has fallen victim to the Australorp that hates her and has been feather plucking........ She is also having a mini moult. Ruby is at the bottom of the pecking order - not sure if would that be the case if she is really a he? I have also noticed something that I forgot to mention: the sussex both like to run at each other and 'chest bump'. Does that point towards having a rooster, or is it just normal teenager behaviour?

Thankyou for all of the replies so far, I am usually ok at telling hens from roos, but these 2 (ruby in particular) really keep me guessing

 

[Jferlisi]

Quote:
I think Ruby is a roo also. The reason why there appears to be no saddle feathers is because they have obviously been plucked out.

That's true, she has fallen victim to the Australorp that hates her and has been feather plucking........ She is also having a mini moult. Ruby is at the bottom of the pecking order - not sure if would that be the case if she is really a he? I have also noticed something that I forgot to mention: the sussex both like to run at each other and 'chest bump'. Does that point towards having a rooster, or is it just normal teenager behaviour?

Thankyou for all of the replies so far, I am usually ok at telling hens from roos, but these 2 (ruby in particular) really keep me guessing

I would go against ruby being a roo. At that age the comb is too small and is lighter than georgie. If it was a roo the comb would be bigger and at that age and crowing he should be trying to mate with them. The "saddle" feathers that everyone keeps saying are not there is cause its s she. You can see the few feathers there are to round and thick. I would say you have a hen there.

*ETA Here is a link with pics of a buff sussex roo at 10 weeks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=267810

 

[mama24]

At 21 weeks, I don't care how "butch" that hen looks, a Sussex roo would be a BIG bulky boy with a huge comb and long dinosaur legs! Whether his saddle and hackle feathers were picked or not.

Sussex roos are huge and grow their combs early.

I have 2 Sussex pullets that I though were boys b/c they are big burly girls, but I was assured that they were definitely girls b/c of how bulky Sussex cockerels are plus the fact that while my Sussex girls did develop combs pretty early, they quit developing while the boys have huge red combs fairly early on.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Oops, I meant saddle feathers, either way I really hope she is a girl. That both of them are girls

and not just very slow maturing Roo's.
I absolutely love sussex! and would hate to have to give them up if they were mine, I think they are beautiful!

 

[kittykat01]

UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE!!!

RUBY is a GIRL - she has started squatting, and we have received 3 tiny brown eggs.

The jury is still out on GEORGIE.......

 

[jeslewmazer]

I think Georgie is a girl too.