Ruby or Reuben? Rhode Island Red, 5.5 weeks old, can't tell if it's a pullet....

[SwampPrincessChick]

I know what you mean.... I have another RIR pullet who is 11 weeks old, and a total boss lady. She is smart and sassy, and the obvious leader of her "sub-flock". Not shy at all! This chick is the opposite. Quite shy and seems to be the last in the group to figure things out. I am definitely leaning "pullet" but, I just don't feel 100% sure because the comb is larger than I expected for a pullet, but still smaller than I would expect for a cockerel. It seems most people here also think this kiddo is most likely a "Ruby"! And yes, it's a good name for a RIR!

Ruby's (my Ruby, that is) comb and wattles came in faster and more red than other pullets. And one of her daughters that I hatched looked just like she would be a cockerel at a very young age because I have never seen a pullet have that big and red of a comb and wattles at that particular time. Maybe it is a thing with Rhode Island Red genetics. But to me, your chicken's comb looks tiny compared to what I have seen, and it is pinkish with yellow on the edge, not bright red. Her wattles are also very tiny.

 

[DragonflyAcres]

Ruby's (my Ruby, that is) comb and wattles came in faster and more red than other pullets. And one of her daughters that I hatched looked just like she would be a cockerel at a very young age because I have never seen a pullet have that big and red of a comb and wattles at that particular time. Maybe it is a thing with Rhode Island Red genetics. But to me, your chicken's comb looks tiny compared to what I have seen, and it is pinkish with yellow on the edge, not bright red. Her wattles are also very tiny.

It does seem like the RIR get the comb faster, and it's more pink, than with other breeds of pullet. If she doesn't suddenly sprout a big red comb and wattles in the next two days I'm just going to assume she's actually a "she", and move on with my life! We let our broody hen hatch some eggs, and knew we would not be able to keep more than one rooster, so it was a risk, but right now it looks like all 3 who made it to hatch are pullets! What luck!