Roo or hen?

[drstratton]

Meet Phoenix, New Hampshire Red. Hatch date 4.30.25.

Supposed to be a hen, but I've been
thinking, maybe not. Then @N F C said handsome boy, so here we are...lol

We just lost our last roo and I wasn't sure I wanted a replacement. The decision might be out of my hands.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

She’s definitely a pullet

 

[kattabelly]

So 17 weeks old if my maths is right? That's a pullet.

 

[drstratton]

She’s definitely a pullet

So 17 weeks old if my maths is right? That's a pullet.

Thank you! I was hoping for a pullet. Not doubting, just curious, what are you basing your conclusions on? I've been going back and forth.

 

[kattabelly]

Thank you! I was hoping for a pullet. Not doubting, just curious, what are you basing your conclusions on? I've been going back and forth.

Male saddle feathers are easier to identify than male hackle feathers, at least until they're more mature, and she definitely doesn't have any. (I think describing male hackle feathers as "pointy" is misleading - they can be pointy on a pullet too, but a cockerel's will be longer and narrower.)

The comb and wattles are quite red and well developed but at 17 weeks she's likely not that far off laying.

I'm not saying it's *never* happened but I'd be surprised to see a cockerel that red if he was slow enough in maturing to not have any male feathering yet.

 

[Ikslo]

Lack of male specific feathering. My NHR cockerel of around the same age as your pullet:

And one of my pullets:

 

[drstratton]

Male saddle feathers are easier to identify than male hackle feathers, at least until they're more mature, and she definitely doesn't have any. (I think describing male hackle feathers as "pointy" is misleading - they can be pointy on a pullet too, but a cockerel's will be longer and narrower.)

The comb and wattles are quite red and well developed but at 17 weeks she's likely not that far off laying.

I'm not saying it's *never* happened but I'd be surprised to see a cockerel that red if he was slow enough in maturing to not have any male feathering yet.

Than you so much for the information. I've kept chickens for 35 years on and off, but never studied the different stages of roos compared to hens at different stages of development.

 

[drstratton]

Lack of male specific feathering. My NHR cockerel of around the same age as your pullet:View attachment 4206506

And one of my pullets:View attachment 4206508

Thank you, it's very helpful to see the differences at the same age.