Sigh, hens or roos?

[sparrowsnest]

So, newbie here. On April 19 I decided to go to TSC and get 8 'pullets'. I was told they were all black austrolorps. I know now that at least one is not, she's a BR. There are at least five of the eight that I am suspicious that they are roos because of their tail feathers. Any guesses?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

So, newbie here. On April 19 I decided to go to TSC and get 8 'pullets'. I was told they were all black austrolorps. I know now that at least one is not, she's a BR. There are at least five of the eight that I am suspicious that they are roos because of their tail feathers. Any guesses?Roo?

Hen

Roo

Hen?

Roo





100% Hen



Roo





Hen

 

[sparrowsnest]

Now, on to the next question-are they austrolorps (with the BR exception)? And why do some that you've said were hens have such big combs(and red) than the other hen? I bought them all at the same time, so I expected them to be about the same age(within days). Thanks!

 

[chickincrazy]

Two roos.

 

[chickincrazy]

Maybe. HAHA! I'm not sure. sorry! in austrolorps it is hard to tell!

 

[Basskids08]

I'm thinking you have 5 cockerels there. Mine were hatched March 10 and they don't have anything remotely close to what yours have.

 

[Cyan Night]

All of them are roos except for picture eight and the last one. I believe they're all australorps. The BR looks more like a cuckoo marans. Are the legs white? And the first one might be a black Cochin if it has feathered legs (it looks like it does, but maybe I'm just seeing things!)

 

[donrae]

Pretty much all those black birds you showed are roosters. They're only 2ish months, so any bird with a red comb is going to be male. Pullets of this age won't have any comb to speak of.

Agree with Cyan your other birds looks like a cuckoo Marans. Guess you'll know for sure when they start laying, Marans are supposed to lay a darker brown egg.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Pretty much all those black birds you showed are roosters. They're only 2ish months, so any bird with a red comb is going to be male. Pullets of this age won't have any comb to speak of.

Agree with Cyan your other birds looks like a cuckoo Marans. Guess you'll know for sure when they start laying, Marans are supposed to lay a darker brown egg.

I agree with donrae, those birds have too much comb at this age to be pullets.

You should be able to figure out if your pullet is a Cuckoo Marans or a poorly-barred Barred Rock. Look at the bottoms of the feet. Marans have white skin, Plymouth Rocks have yellow skin.

 

[sparrowsnest]

I must say, as a newbie, I am a bit discouraged. I was looking for laying hens. I knew buying pullets vs straight run would give me better odds, but I really didn't expect 60% of my little flock to end up as roos.