Mottled Houdans gender

[Tricoglossus]

These two Houdans are about 5-6 months old. They look quite boyish to me but no hint of a crow and no real roosterish behaviour. I have 7 other hens in the flock and no roosters. I have had these two for the last 2 months. I can't believe how much they change from week to week, I have gone from thinking they are pullets to cockerels so many times!

Houdan 1 on left, Houdan 2 on right



Houdan 1



1 on left, 2 on right



Houdan 2



Houdan 1


Houdan 2



Houdan 2



Houdan 2



Houdan 1



Unrelated Houdan hen just for comparison:



I look forward to hearing your opinions!

 

[Tuhmu]

I think #1 is a hen and #2 is a rooster

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I think #1 is a hen and #2 is a rooster

X2

 

[Tricoglossus]

Thanks. Are you basing your opinion mostly on the shape of the crests? They both have some curly tail feathers happening (though I think 2 a bit more so than 1). Cheers!

 

[Whittni]

I think #2 is a rooster:

See his sickle feathers and how the grow outward? The feathers at the base of his tail curl toward his butt, they'll act as an attraction when he's done growing to look pretty.

 

[ramirezframing]

for 6 months old I would have thought we would be seeing saddle feathers, and I don't see any so I'm going pullets

 

[Tricoglossus]

Thanks for your replies. I am still undecided! The one thing that I still find surprising is the lack of crowing at this age. Well it sure would be nice to get 1 pullet at least!

 

[Tricoglossus]

UPDATE: Some pictures of them today, what do you think now? They are at least 6 months old. No crowing and no rooster behaviour.

Houdan #1:




















Houdan #2:

 

[Tuhmu]

#1 is still definitely a pullet #2 I'm not so sure about but I'm leaning towards pullet now....with them being 6-7? months now, the cockerel would have spikes instead of rounded feathers on the crest. But it is still just a different shaped crest. Have either started laying eggs yet?

 

[Tricoglossus]

They haven't yet, but it is mid-winter here and it has gone very cold this week. None of my flock is laying at the moment.