Light Sussex pullet? Or cockerel?

[Maddly]

Would anyone be willing to take a guess at the gender of our favorite 15-week-old chicken? She was sexed as a girl as a chick, and we've always believed that was correct based on everything I've read about sexing chickens (comb size and color, hackle feathers, social behavior, etc.) However, this is our first little flock and she is our only Light Sussex, so I don't really have much to compare her against.


Thanks in advance!!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Sorry, with that large comb it is a cockerel

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Look at the tip ends of the feathers on the hackle. If they are rounded, it is a pullet. If they are pointed, it is a cockerel.
Best,
Karen

 

[junebuggena]

Do you have a clear shot of the feathers on her back, near the base of the tail?
At 15 weeks it could be a pullet, or a slow developing cockerel.

 

[Maddly]

Sorry, it's so hard to get a clear photo of her! (I probably need more practice). Does this one show the feathers near her tail more clearly?

 

[3riverschick]

T

 

[Maddly]

Karen, that is an absolutely beautiful Light Sussex in your profile picture!!

I absolutely love this breed, our Abigail is by far the sweetest natured chicken in the flock. Her hackle feathers look rounded to me compared to the two birds that I know for sure are roosters (they've started crowing , but they are both very different breeds so I'm not positive.

 

[junebuggena]

Perfect. I can clearly see that there is not a trace of male feathering on that bird. It's a pullet, and she should be laying in just a few more weeks.

 

[3riverschick]

This is "Sweetie", a hen. Look at the hackle feathers. They look familiar?
Click on the pictures to get a close-up view.



https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/i/5440281/light-sussex/sort/display_order/
This is one of my best stud cocks. Look at his hackle feathers. See the difference in shape?

Best,
Karen

 

[Maddly]

Thank you, that's very clear. At what age do the roosters usually start developing those distinctive feathers? Again, just gorgeous!