PLEASE HELP me!! Hen or Roo??? What Breed??

[jamielw45]

Hi! I need some expertise here please.... I bought three day old chicks and were told they were Black Australorps (which is what I wanted). Now, I believe that both the chicks I got were actually BLUE Australorps (which I am totally fine with), however, I am beginning to think that one is a rooster and one is a hen. I took "Penny", the one I think is a rooster, into my local feed store and they told me that she was for sure a hen. I am having a hard time believing that she is indeed a hen simply because "her" waddle is so much bigger and more red, AND she is def. the most dominant of all 4 of my chickens. Please look at the picture below and let me know your opinion. Can two "sister hens" have such differences in waddles, etc?? Also, can anyone confirm that these two chickens are indeed Blue Australorps? They are very flighty and seem nothing like my calm Buff (and I read that Australorps and Buffs are similar in terms of temperament, etc.) Thank you in advance for your help!!!!

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

I don't see a pic. But how old are they? If their 3 days old, roo w/o a Doubt by your description

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Ducks 'waddle'. Chickens have wattles. Yes, it is possible for one hen to have earlier comb and wattle development than her flockmates. Just like with all species individuals mature at different rates. You don't mention the age of your birds, but if their is comb and wattle development a cockerel should be showing pointy hackle and saddle feathers and might even be crowing. P.S. there is no picture showing.

 

[jamielw45]

For some reason my pics did not attach properly the first time....here are a few!

 

[farmer boy]

that's a cockerel and then one behind him is a pullet .. 100% ..

 

[jamielw45]

Thank you for that info!! I agree...I was pretty sure that it was a Cockerel but my guys at the Feed store got me a little confused. I will have to take it back as we are not allowed to have any Roosters in our neighborhood! Any idea of the breed? Does it look like a Blue Australorp? This is my first time having chickens, obviously!!! haha.

 

[sourland]

Both are pullets 100 %. There are absolutely no secondary sex characteristics of a cockerel on that bird. Feathering says all pullet.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Well, those are andalusians. And they are THE craziest, most ill-rational untambable birds ever.. Lol. Have had 2, both cocks, neither friendly. Pretty birds, though!
How old are they? Could be a hen, if they're around 18-22 weeks then you'll have eggs soon, if younger most likely 2 cockerals but could be 2 hens. I'd say same gender either way though

 

[keesmom]

They are both pullets. They are not blue Australorps as they have white earlobes. I would guess blue Andalusian?

 

[donrae]

I believe you have two blue Andalusian pullets.

Yes, one bird can mature faster than a hatchmate. Walk down the hall of any middle school and see the difference in development of same age human girls, it's no different. I believe both those girls will give you nice large white eggs. The one with the larger comb is reaching what we call point of lay, that is, coming into sexual maturity where she will start laying within a few weeks.