Pullet with saddle feathers?

[Alexandra33]

Is it true that the orange/black coloration usually means it’s a pullet? Are most EE roos black and white with red limited to their shoulders? I have another orange and black colored EE at my school (where I teach) that I’m pretty sure is a cockerel.

Depends. Yes, there's a common Easter Egger variation that is exclusive to females. Would one refer to it as something of the partridge persuasion? I'll use pictures for demonstration, rather than explaining in depth.

Note even, consistent pattern, no patches. Only pullets can be found in this coloration.

Here is a good example of an orange and black cockerel. See the vast difference? He's beginning to develop red wing bars, and appears overall quite patchy. Yet again, you won't normally (though there are rare exceptions) locate pullets of similar bearing.

Also, Easter Egger rooster can be just about any color imaginable....not limited to white/black/red.

~Alex