New mixed flock feathering differences

[dawnrae]

We ordered 5 "female" chicks through a hatchery & are just over a week into brooding. One didn't survive the ship (

). Now 3 of the surviving 4 (cream legbar, speckled Sussex & Easter Egger) are feathering almost exactly the same, while the 4th (buckeye) is feathering but is distinctly behind on tail feathers (no pun inteneded) - "she" still just has a fuzzy rump. Is this an early red flag that my 4 new little girls might actually not all be female?

 

[Ridgerunner]

No. Not all chicks feather out the same for different reasons. There is one specific gene that determines if a chicken is “fast-feathering” or “slow-feathering”, that might be working here. Or it could be something else. Don’t panic yet.

 

[authHeirlooms]

can you post a picture of the chicks? that alone doesn't necessarily mean it's a roo, but it can be a sign.