Oh no! Are those pointy saddle feathers?!

[shoezanne]

8.5 week old black australorp with a teeny yellow comb, but suddenly her (his?) tail looks all stringy... anyone care to comment and put my mind at ease? Thank you all in advance for being such a fantastic and friendly resource!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Pullet.

 

[Cyprus]

Pullet

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Beautiful pullet you have there

 

[DobieLover]

Nope! She's a pullet.

 

[Redhead Rae]

How old? If under 16 weeks it isn't a pullet for certain yet.

 

[Redhead Rae]

How old? If under 16 weeks it isn't a pullet for certain yet.

Ah I see the 8.5 weeks at the bottom. No those aren't pointed saddle feathers. Those don't start growing until 11-15 weeks. But the bird looks like a pullet to me.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Pretty pullet!

 

[Alexandra33]

Pretty pullet. It's not uncommon for a chook's first plumage to appear pointed.

~Alex

 

[shoezanne]

Your responses are so appreciated and have made me so relieved!! I love my three chicks so much, and I’m so stressed about one being a roo and having to go away. I’ll reach out at 9 weeks to get a consensus about the barred rock and EE!