Supposed To Be Solid Blue Wyandotte Pullet... True?

[feathermaid]

Of my 3 little pullet chicks, the Wyandotte is a week older. But lately I've been having doubts about "Blueberry", now 11 weeks old. We're not allowed to have roosters in city limits, plus I wouldn't want to deal with one anyway. I think my heart is broken! I just lost 2 hens over the last 6 months and I don't want to lose another one just because it's a boy.

I've heard that some wyandottes mature sooner than other breeds... or maybe I'm in denial. And now I'm not even sure it's a wyandotte because of the dark legs.
Thoughts???


3 weeks old:

4 weeks

11 weeks

 

[sourland]

I'm 5o/50 on this bird. Nothing in the feathering indicates cockerel, but that is early comb development. Have a 'Plan B' in mind just in case.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I'm with @sourland on this one. There wouldn't be male saddle feathers for another week or two, but there aren't the typical blue cockerel wing bars... but the comb and wattles are very developed and colored for a pullet. I'd give it a few more weeks. If the male saddle feathers start popping out, its a boy. If they don't, its a pullet.

 

[JedJackson]

Agree with sourland. This one could go either way. The legs aren't particularly thick, so that's one point on the side of it being a pullet. But those wattles are mighty big and red for 11 weeks. I think you are going to have to wait a bit longer to know for sure.

Also, I think it is a Wyandotte. Dark legs often occur in the black and blue varieties. It just means this one doesn't completely match the breed standard. And the legs could lighten later on.

 

[feathermaid]

Wow, thanks for your super fast replies!

I'm 5o/50 on this bird. Nothing in the feathering indicates cockerel, but that is early comb development. Have a 'Plan B' in mind just in case.

Really? I thought those looked like some pointy boy feathers on the neck.

I'm with @sourland on this one. There wouldn't be male saddle feathers for another week or two, but there aren't the typical blue cockerel wing bars... but the comb and wattles are very developed and colored for a pullet. I'd give it a few more weeks. If the male saddle feathers start popping out, its a boy. If they don't, its a pullet.

What are blue wing bars? Do you have a picture so I can keep a lookout?

Agree with sourland. This one could go either way. The legs aren't particularly thick, so that's one point on the side of it being a pullet. But those wattles are mighty big and red for 11 weeks. I think you are going to have to wait a bit longer to know for sure.

Also, I think it is a Wyandotte. Dark legs often occur in the black and blue varieties. It just means this one doesn't completely match the breed standard. And the legs could lighten later on.

I know! Those waddles are scaring me. The legs started out yellow and became a lot darker over the last few weeks.
But I will try to hold out hope for a while longer

 

[feathermaid]

Have a 'Plan B' in mind just in case.

My plan B is my neighbor's daughter. She lives way out in the country with lots of chickens and would love to have a blue rooster.

 

[MillersFarm]

I'm leaning more towards pullet on this one but I could be wrong.. Most of my wyandottes seem to always have brighter combs than my other birds.

 

[feathermaid]

I'm leaning more towards pullet on this one but I could be wrong.. Most of my wyandottes seem to always have brighter combs than my other birds.

OMG that would be so great if it's just a brighter comb like yours! I am praying that you're right!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Wow, thanks for your super fast replies!

Really? I thought those looked like some pointy boy feathers on the neck.


What are blue wing bars? Do you have a picture so I can keep a lookout?


I know! Those waddles are scaring me. The legs started out yellow and became a lot darker over the last few weeks.
But I will try to hold out hope for a while longer

Much like cockerels or roosters of other breeds will develop brick red wing bars, a blue cockerel or rooster will develop darker 'blue' bars on their wings. This is a blue ameraucana I found on google. Notice how he has darker 'blue' on his wing shoulders and (in this case) his hackles as well? That's what I'm talking about there...

 

[aglandaetap]

Leaning towards pullet