Pullets or cockrels - Australorp

[Tookie]

Excellent! Thank you so much for the reference photo - this really helps. Ours should start laying soon, then? We were told they were born in July, so almost 6 months?

Going by the pictures they're not too close to laying.

 

[3KillerBs]

Excellent! Thank you so much for the reference photo - this really helps. Ours should start laying soon, then? We were told they were born in July, so almost 6 months?

The short days of winter slows them down.

They'll probably put on a burst of maturity as the days get noticeably longer.

 

[kerlau]

Going by the pictures they're not too close to laying.

Any signs I should be watching for as they get close?

 

[kerlau]

The short days of winter slows them down.

They'll probably put on a burst of maturity as the days get noticeably longer.

Does that mean they are younger than we were told? Or would you expect it due to time of year?

 

[Tookie]

Any signs I should be watching for as they get close?

Come and wattle development, their comb and wattles will start to redden up and get larger.

 

[kerlau]

Come and wattle development, their comb and wattles will start to redden up and get larger.

Thank you!

 

[Tookie]

Thank you!

You're welcome!
Another way to tell is by checking the pelvic bones, here's an article.->
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[3KillerBs]

Does that mean they are younger than we were told? Or would you expect it due to time of year?

Pullets who hatch in summer and mature in the short days of fall/winter lay later than pullets who hatch in winter and mature in the long days of spring/summer.

 

[kerlau]

Pullets who hatch in summer and mature in the short days of fall/winter lay later than pullets who hatch in winter and mature in the long days of spring/summer.

Good to know…..thank you!

 

[kerlau]

You're welcome!
Another way to tell is by checking the pelvic bones, here's an article.->
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Great info - thanks!