Roo or hen

[Gammond]

Do these pointy feathers growing out of its back mean Roo? 9ish weeks. No point on taking a pic of the entire chicken as they are Ameraucana crosses and all look the same....no wattles or combs

 

[Gray Farms]

Full body, broadside, close, clear pictures are best. Feathers are not the only factor in determining sex.

 

[sourland]

Full body profile shot needed for any valid gender identification.

 

[Gammond]

OK - I will try to get a good picture.

 

[mgbantams]

I say cockerel, but I may change my mind when i see the full body picture.

 

[Gammond]

I say cockerel, but I may change my mind when i see the full body picture.

Thanks for the guess! So far I have it in the rooster pen - we are usually right about 95% of our culls.. I don't like wasting food for sooooo long, as the Ameracauna mixes are so tricky..

 

[lomine]

I think what you are referring to as pointy feathers are just pin feathers. That is part of normal feather growth for both sexes. There is a hard protective layer over the quill that protects the feather as it grows. They can feel a little prickly.

 

[Gammond]

 

[drumstick diva]

The gender feathering of pointy hackle and saddle feathers doesn't show up till about 12 weeks of age. Younger birds won't show those clues.

There is also red over wings (in a bird that isn't red to begin with) usually shouts COCKEREL. Like the bird in the above photo.

 

[mgbantams]

View attachment 1175354

Looks like a cockerel to me.