Not Sure If You've Got A Pullet Or Cockerel? Click Here! Thread 2

[arr36]

They get organic layers pellets and mixed corn (started on chick crumbs then growers pellets until around 18 weeks)

What are you feeding?

. There is another (pullet) sibling who is a touch bigger and plain black, and two lavender Araucanas hatched at the same time who are clearly female. Usually they get a lot of free range but the whole of the UK is under bird flu quarantine right now hence their space is much limited and has got all muddy

 

[junebuggena]

They get organic layers pellets and mixed corn (started on chick crumbs then growers pellets until around 18 weeks)
. There is another (pullet) sibling who is a touch bigger and plain black, and two lavender Araucanas hatched at the same time who are clearly female. Usually they get a lot of free range but the whole of the UK is under bird flu quarantine right now hence their space is much limited and has got all muddy

That's why they seem so delayed/stunted. Layer feed is for actively laying birds only. It does not have enough protein in it for growing/developing chicks. And the high calcium is not good for them either. The corn is also going to reduce the overall intake of protein. The whole flock should all be on a starter/grower feed, with crushed oyster shell offered separately for those who need a bit more calcium. Layer feed is for flocks of adult, laying females only.

 

[arr36]

I hear what you're saying, thank you. Weird though that this is the only bird that hasn't developed as much (if indeed a male). The others have reached full size (compared to older birds in our main flock - these guys are separate) and beginning to grow/lay. Just this one seems ambiguous. So would you reckon it'll still turn out to be male given the genetics/barring?

That's why they seem so delayed/stunted. Layer feed is for actively laying birds only. It does not have enough protein in it for growing/developing chicks. And the high calcium is not good for them either. The corn is also going to reduce the overall intake of protein. The whole flock should all be on a starter/grower feed, with crushed oyster shell offered separately for those who need a bit more calcium. Layer feed is for flocks of adult, laying females only.

 

[junebuggena]

It's likely a very stunted male. Get them on an appropriate diet ASAP.

 

[arr36]

It's likely a very stunted male. Get them on an appropriate diet ASAP.

Thanks. We will look at separating this and the male so that the laying siblings (the hatch-mate araucanas and the black one, as well as some younger buff orps who they share a coop with are all laying) can continue on the layers pellets. I usually start mixing and switching over to layers when they first start laying. I hadn't realised that the same age chickens on the same diet living in the same conditions could mature at such drastically different rates! Just goes to show you can be caught out. Thanks for your advice.

 

[junebuggena]

Thanks. We will look at separating this and the male so that the laying siblings (the hatch-mate araucanas and the black one, as well as some younger buff orps who they share a coop with are all laying) can continue on the layers pellets. I usually start mixing and switching over to layers when they first start laying. I hadn't realised that the same age chickens on the same diet living in the same conditions could mature at such drastically different rates! Just goes to show you can be caught out.

Thanks for your advice.

You don't need to feed layer feed. It doesn't have any magic ingredient in it. I don't even bother with the stuff. It's just a lot simpler to buy one feed that is safe for everybody. And you may find that a starter/grower feed helps improve the hens' production rates.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

It's impossible for a barred hen and non barred rooster to have barred female offspring.

 

[Chicken5555]

is it safe to say these are sex links and both males?
father is a pure Wheaten Ameraucana
mothers are easter eggers, some of the hens have silver edging on their hackles.
four weeks old.

Thanks.

 

[junebuggena]

is it safe to say these are sex links and both males?
father is a pure Wheaten Ameraucana
mothers are easter eggers, some of the hens have silver edging on their hackles.
four weeks old.

Thanks.

Depends on what the hen's look like and if the rooster really is a Wheaten Ameraucana.

 

[purplechicken7]

Silkie ~3-4 months old. Pullet or cockerel? I'm leaning towards pullet because there is no apparent comb development.