Oh no, is Mabel really Martin??

[lutherpug]

I went to clean the coop on Sunday and noticed my favorite girl, Mabel, is sprouting some awfully ornate tail feathers. Do you think she is a he? 16 week old Dominique....

I want to stress that her waddles and comb are comparable to my other three that I'm confident are hens. I've included a good shot of my Australorp with my RIR in the background for comb/waddle/tail feather comparison.

I'm hoping this is just a funky juvenile feather thing but I'm highly suspicious....

TIA for all responses and opinions!

 

[QueenMisha]

That is a pullet. She does have interesting tail growth, though. It happens occasionally that feathers will come in weird.

 

[drumstick diva]

pullet

 

[lutherpug]

Thanks for the replies!

She's such a little bundle of personality-I would hate to have to get rid of her

 

[donrae]

Yep, pullet. they get those curvy tail feathers from time to time, and usually molt out them.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Pullet

 

[junebuggena]

Those wonky feathers are just about ready to fall out. Juvenile molts can do some weird things to pullet tails.