MM the pics of the first 2 birds, they are siblings, equally dainty all around, including the legs and comb development. Lineage back twice removed breeder wise. Think combination of 2 northern US breeders. Both on par with the pullets size wise from the other group. Upon close inspection, no mistaking the pointy saddle feathers one is sporting while the other isn't. Prior to the close ups, I would have said both pullets.
Cockerel in the last pic was one of 4. Lineage known back twice removed. Think combination of 2 southern breeders. Feather sexed guess 3 roos 1 pullet. By about 4 wks there was a noticeable size difference in the one roo. He's now twice their size. No other real different developments I can remember until this last month when his feathers and comb came into their own. This is the line we're planning to work with.
We've another black AM roo I bought as a chick from this years POOPs. Unknown lineage. He was crowing to beat all, big comb, you name it by 3 mnths. Overall size, he's smaller, on par with the first group.
No matter what, there's always some that'll get by you. My last processing venture I had a "pullet" with testicles
, I've a crowing Silkie "pullet" as of yesterday
and a "cockerel" marked for the pot despite the fact I loved his coloring who decided to become a pullet.
Since it's an unfamiliar line and they're already so old, why not keep them a bit longer.
you have a nice surprise. If nothing else, they taste great.
Teach, you can come here. We need a replacement judge. I don't think the one we have now can tell the difference between a chicken and a duck.