Tell me it ain’t so!!

[Txpollock]

I purchased 15 chicks from Atwood’s. 3 of each breed all supposed to be pullets. So I should have had included in the 15, 3 black australorps and 3 black copper marans. I ended up with 4 black australorpe and I’m assuming 2 blue copper marans. So that was only slightly disappointing. But then I think they misgendered my friendliest austrolorpe which I named Jazmin….so….is this really a cockerel (Jazz) or a pullet (Jazmin)? They are 13 weeks old today and these pictures were taken today. I have included a couple pics that show another australorpe or 2 in the background. The bright red comb and waddles is why I think she is a he!

 

[Txpollock]

Also, now that I’m checking out other posts, these may be BCM but without feathered feet. I’m a little confused because when I looked up pics of chicks, the BCM and black Australorpe look the same as chicks. As they grew I have 4 that stayed black and 2 that turned grey. I may need to get some pics of them and see what y’all’s thoughts are.

 

[redinator]

Has the Australorp had the large comb and wattle for awhile, or has it just started getting larger/darker? I ask because hens of some breeds develop combs and wattles as they get close to point of lay.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The bird with the red comb is a pullet going by feathering (rounded saddle feathers).

Also, now that I’m checking out other posts, these may be BCM but without feathered feet.

There's 2 types of BCM, French BCM (feathered shanks) and non-feathered shank ones. I also don't see any "copper" on any of the black birds so they might all be Australorps, though I don't have any so am unfamiliar with the breed.

 

[Pigeony]

I purchased 15 chicks from Atwood’s. 3 of each breed all supposed to be pullets. So I should have had included in the 15, 3 black australorps and 3 black copper marans. I ended up with 4 black australorpe and I’m assuming 2 blue copper marans. So that was only slightly disappointing. But then I think they misgendered my friendliest austrolorpe which I named Jazmin….so….is this really a cockerel (Jazz) or a pullet (Jazmin)? They are 13 weeks old today and these pictures were taken today. I have included a couple pics that show another australorpe or 2 in the background. The bright red comb and waddles is why I think she is a he! View attachment 4147972View attachment 4147973View attachment 4147974View attachment 4147975

At 13 weeks, I would have some suspicion that's a slow-developing boy. Another poster said pullet because of rounded saddle feathers, but 13 weeks is still young enough they may not have grown in yet. To repeat an earlier question, has this chicken been red for weeks or just starting to redden recently? If recent, it could be a fast-maturing hen. If it's been more than a week or two, it's likely male. But 3 months is real young for a pullet to redden and wattle up so significantly.

 

[Pigeony]

Yeah at 13 weeks, I would have some suspicion that's a slow-developing boy. Another poster said pullet because of rounded saddle feathers, but 13 weeks is still young enough they may not have grown in yet. To repeat an earlier question, has this chicken been red for weeks or just starting to redden recently? If recent, it could be a fast-maturing hen. If it's been more than a week or two, it's likely male. But 3 months is real young for a pullet to redden and wattle up so significantly.

If it's male, you should/may be able to find pointed saddle feathers hidden under it's rounded feathers at this point. If you pick up the bird and inspect its back by the tail, you should find your answer.

 

[AinaWGSD]

I agree the red comb and wattles seem suspicious, but I don't see any signs of male specific feathers so far. It could be, as others have pointed out, a slow maturing cockerel or a fast maturing pullet. I'd keep an eye on it, but don't give up hope just yet.

 

[Txpollock]

This particular bird has been red for about 2 weeks. It was the only one that would come to me when I entered the run and then one day I realized how much more red the comb and waddles were than the other 3. There hasn’t been any attempt at crowing and the tail feathers don’t arc like other Roos that I have had. I keep hoping because I already have a roo and he’s not very accepting of another roo in the flock as I’ve already discovered.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

I had a lavender Orpington that I was convinced was a roo. The amazing people on this site were about 50/50 on gender. Waddles and comb both developed early and prominent and behavior had me suspicious. She started laying eggs just last week. Fingers crossed for you to have the same outcome!

 

[Pigeony]

This particular bird has been red for about 2 weeks. It was the only one that would come to me when I entered the run and then one day I realized how much more red the comb and waddles were than the other 3. There hasn’t been any attempt at crowing and the tail feathers don’t arc like other Roos that I have had. I keep hoping because I already have a roo and he’s not very accepting of another roo in the flock as I’ve already discovered.

Did you look for male saddle feathers under the rounded feathers like the picture I shared in my previous post? If you don't see any, I would assume pullet until proven otherwise.