Stealth Rooster?

[Sussex19]

Once it's mature, it should be clear, it's hard to imagine a full grown rooster managing to remain under cover!

 

[3KillerBs]

Nightshade only has a few of the long thin white and black saddle feathers there on the side where wings rest,

I take photos at night off the roost, with me handling the bird and someone else using the camera.

If there are any pointy saddle feathers then it's a male, just slower to develop.

 

[Painted Calls]

The black one in question is a cockerel.

 

[MrsEarthern]

Once it's mature, it should be clear, it's hard to imagine a full grown rooster managing to remain under cover!

That's my fear! Browsing the other threads about similar breeds everyone seemed to be saying they should have sex identifying feathers by 16-20 weeks and now I am only confident that I have two hens. :/

 

[Painted Calls]

That's my fear! Browsing the other threads about similar breeds everyone seemed to be saying they should have sex identifying feathers by 16-20 weeks and now I am only confident that I have two hens. :/

That's a loose time frame. Some breeds (especially more loose feathered, fluffy breeds) may have them and not show them until even later.

 

[Painted Calls]

If you are unsure of gender, post pics here and we will give you our best answers. Then we can explain our reasoning as well if it will help!

 

[MrsEarthern]

That's a loose time frame. Some breeds (especially more loose feathered, fluffy breeds) may have them and not show them until even later.

The breeder only keeps Buff Orpington and Blue Australorp and a single older Black Australorp rooster; crossed the Blue & Buff in a breeding project and I got to pick from her discards.
I was looking at threads about Blue Australorps.

 

[Painted Calls]

The breeder only keeps Buff Orpington and Blue Australorp and a single older Black Australorp rooster; crossed the Blue & Buff in a breeding project and I got to pick from her discards.
I was looking at threads about Blue Australorps.

Sometimes both of those can show saddles a little later. Both those breeds are typically easy to sex by 6 weeks though.

 

[ColtHandorf]

The black one in question is a cockerel.

I agree.

 

[MrsEarthern]

To be sure that Nightshade is a roo:
Back Saddle feathers

Side Saddle Feathers

Hackles