Speckled Sussex or something else????

[alybessey]

I have 4 Speckled Sussex's all but 1 is developing her tail feathers. They are all about 4 weeks old and are totally healthy and very happy birds. Can anyone tell me is this normal or is this a different breed of bird? And I am very sure there is no bulling going on as all my chicks have been raised together since they were born. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[BantamLover21]

Did you mean "isn't developing her tail feathers"? If so, then I can explain why. The bird pictured is a Speckled Sussex cockerel, as shown by the big comb and thick legs. The fact that he has no real tail yet is another cockerel sign--cockerels almost always grow and feather in slower than pullets.

 

[donrae]

That's a rooster. roosters usually feather in slower and in speckled Sussex, the roosters have a different color pattern.

 

[alybessey]

Are you sure???? I was so hoping that I wouldn't have to get rid of her/him. But if it is I have no choice as I can not have a roo in my neighborhood.

 

[Kelsie2290]

X 3 on the Speckled Sussex rooster vote.

 

[donrae]

You can wait for a crow if you want, but I'm pretty confident. as he grows you'll see the different color, thicker legs, larger comb, things like that.