Puller or roo?

[aSliceOfLife]

I just brought home this 10 week old chicken yesterday. They told me at the feed store it was a female because she was one of the smallest in the batch. But today I'm looking at her long tail feathers and I see them going straight up into the air. Did they sell me a roo?

 

[junebuggena]

I just brought home this 10 week old chicken yesterday. They told me at the feed store it was a female because she was one of the smallest in the batch. But today I'm looking at her long tail feathers and I see them going straight up into the air. Did they sell me a roo?

At that age, I'm pretty sure you have a pullet. A cockerel at that age, with that type of coloring would have very obvious dark red shoulders.

 

[mightymax]

I'd have to agree with Junebuggena in that your chicken is a pullet. Tail feather direction is not a good indicator at that age (or really at any age for that matter). Rather, you need to look at the shape of the tail feathers individually and not the direction they appear to be growing at the moment. Can't see real clearly in your pictures, but if I had to make an educated guess, I'd guess she's a pullet. Good for you. Roos usually have longer, sometimes silkier strand-like feathers that come more to a point at the tip than hens do. Hope that helps.

 

[ftfarmer22]

X3.

Looks like it's official!! You have a pullet!