Pullet or Roo?

[AnnaLK]

So, recently I've been beginning to have second thoughts on the gender of my Silver Laced Wyandotte... I live in a neighborhood and cannot have a rooster, so it'd be very bad if she was actually a he!

The feed store said she was sexed, but I know it's still not 100% accurate. The other three all appear to be pullets, though.
Anyways, any thoughts on if she's really a she? She's about 7-8 weeks old.

 

[Arya28]

I'm not an expert on this, but I think it's a good chance it's a girl. Is there any particular reason you're skeptical? Behaviour, fat legs or comb? I have a few of SLW who are also supposed to be pullets, and I think they are girls but we'll see!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Could we get a side picture of it standing on it's own...Looking for hackle & saddle feathering. I'm no expert either but I'm thinking cockerel from the comb & wattles color but I maybe wrong.

 

[Arya28]

Could we get a side picture of it standing on it's own...Looking for hackle & saddle feathering. I'm no expert either but I'm thinking cockerel from the comb & wattles color but I maybe wrong.

Yes I agree, a picture like that would help! I think the wattles on SLW hens get red too, because they have rose combs. I have attached a pic for comparison, these aren't my chickens they are just a pic from the internet. But it might take a few more weeks to tell for sure since hens and Roos get red on the combs and wattles, size definitely matters though!

 

[Arya28]

She/he is super cutie either way though!

 

[AnnaLK]

I don't know... I feel like she isn't growing in her feathers as fast as the others, and the fact she seems to have no tail whatsoever (unless that's a breed thing?). And, will these do? I'm out of town, so I had to get my dad to send these to me.

She/he is super cutie either way though!

Thank you!

 

[Arya28]

Yes those pictures are definitely helpful! When I zoom in though it's still a little difficult to tell if the saddle feathers are coming in pointy or not... if they are pointy (and you will be able to tell) it's a roo. If they are nice and rounded, it's a girl. But it's also hard to tell if it had its saddle feathers completely in yet... girls do tend to feather a little faster than boys.. and because of its stance I'm leaning a little towards it being a boy... but it could be just a runtier girl? Is there a rule that you aren't allowed to have roosters in your neighborhood?

 

[junebuggena]

Yes those pictures are definitely helpful! When I zoom in though it's still a little difficult to tell if the saddle feathers are coming in pointy or not... if they are pointy (and you will be able to tell) it's a roo. If they are nice and rounded, it's a girl. But it's also hard to tell if it had its saddle feathers completely in yet... girls do tend to feather a little faster than boys.. and because of its stance I'm leaning a little towards it being a boy... but it could be just a runtier girl? Is there a rule that you aren't allowed to have roosters in your neighborhood?

7 weeks is too young for male specific feathering. Those don't usually develop until about 10 weeks of age, and can take several more weeks to be clearly visible.

 

[cowgrl644]

Am I looking at 2 Roos here. I might cry. My only two lavender orps.

 

[Arya28]

View attachment 1127846 Am I looking at 2 Roos here. I might cry. My only two lavender orps.

Yes I would definitely say so. They have a lot of nice pointy saddle feathers, and lots of plumage in their tail feathers. They are really gorgeous though!