Speckled Sussex cockerel not developing

[LittleMiss92]

I’ve had this guy about a month, and was about 3-3.5 months when I got him. His tail feathers were as developed as they are now, but as you can see his saddle and hackle feathers aren’t there. He is not crowing at all or attempting which I know can be different for each rooster. But I feel like something isn’t right. He also hates his girls and just attacks them. He’s good with me though.

My question is, is it normal for this guy to be this far developed, I feel like it should be further.

 

[JedJackson]

Okay. There is a chance it is female. Pullets can get that type of tail feathers, just not the thin icicle saddle feathers. So that is something to look into. I wish the lighting was a little more clear in those photos, especially the shoulders and saddle area. If you can, take new pictures and post them. In the meantime you possibly have a pullet.

I will call in reinforcements to see what they have to say, although they probably won't respond until tomorrow.

@MysteryChicken @Overo Mare @3KillerBs @sourland @TheOddOneOut

 

[LittleMiss92]

Sounds like a plan

Weird thing happened with the photos uploading. The photo where he is with another Pullet is from about 2 weeks ago

 

[LittleMiss92]

Okay, that helped. I can confirm he is a cockerel. His male specific saddle feathers are stating to come in. He's just late but otherwise looks perfectly normal for a cockerel that age. I don't think he is quite ready to mate, so that is probably why he is behaving strangely with the girls. If he is causing problems, then separate him for a while until the girls are near to laying. You will be able to tell by there combs and wattles going red, but may not happen until Spring. Or you could re-home him. Lots of options. I've circled the start of male feather on him. The feathers coming in will be very narrow and very glossy.View attachment 3334025

Thank you

 

[Sussex19]

He looks male to me.
Does he seem in good health? No lice, mites, or anything like that?

 

[LittleMiss92]

Yeas he’s in good health.

 

[LittleMiss92]

I agree. When I blew that photo up on the screen I see what you're seeing.

Though to be certain it would be good to have a photo with a piece of paper or something under those saddle feathers to make sure of their shape.



A point to consider,

Your rooster is half the flock. Do you WANT to breed late development into your birds as an ongoing trait?

Why did you select this fellow in particular over other possible options? Are those characteristics sufficiently good to offset the slow development problem?

I didn’t choose him. He was unseated and we have him a home, we have the room and he may as well have some girls to play with.

Honestly, I like the slow development idea. I don’t have to deal with crowing for longer.

 

[JedJackson]

He is 4-4.5 months now. But that good to know, thank you.

Oh, sorry. That means he is pretty late in development. At at what age did the comb and wattles start to grow and redden?

 

[LittleMiss92]

Okay. There is a chance it is female. Pullets can get that type of tail feathers, just not the thin icicle saddle feathers. So that is something to look into. I wish the lighting was a little more clear in those photos, especially the shoulders and saddle area. If you can, take new pictures and post them. In the meantime you possibly have a pullet.

I will call in reinforcements to see what they have to say, although they probably won't respond until tomorrow.

@MysteryChicken @Overo Mare @3KillerBs @sourland @TheOddOneOut

Sounds like a plan

 

[JedJackson]

I think it is a very late developing cockerel but let's see what others have to say.