Tell me it ain’t so!!

[Txpollock]

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.

I will be checking today and will post pics.

 

[Txpollock]

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!

I really hope so because this bird is just the sweetest but I don’t need 2 Roos less I keep 2 flocks which just means double everything. My current Roos gets mighty uptight when there is another Roo around!

 

[Pigeony]

Here are the pictures of what I hope are the saddle feathers. I also got a couple more since hubby was holding her()! Not sure if wing feathers give any indication but I took one of that just in case. View attachment 4148609View attachment 4148610View attachment 4148611View attachment 4148612View attachment 4148613

Are those pictures of the underside of her tail? Saddle feathers grow on her back by the base of the tail, nothing would be visible to give gender clues from a belly view. The one picture with the wings does give a good view of her back and it looks pretty neat and even; usually with male saddle feathers coming in, there's a little bit more of a messy appearance to the feathers there. I see no male feathering, I think you have a very fast-maturing female at this point, but keep an eye on her.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

I’m on the fence but leaning pullet surprisingly. I think she’s just super fast to mature

 

[Txpollock]

I’m on the fence but leaning pullet surprisingly. I think she’s just super fast to mature

That’s what I was thinking too and that’s why I thought cockerel because the other 3 do not have that red or that large a comb or wattles.

 

[Txpollock]

Are those pictures of the underside of her tail? Saddle feathers grow on her back by the base of the tail, nothing would be visible to give gender clues from a belly view. The one picture with the wings does give a good view of her back and it looks pretty neat and even; usually with male saddle feathers coming in, there's a little bit more of a messy appearance to the feathers there. I see no male feathering, I think you have a very fast-maturing female at this point, but keep an eye on her.

Ok…I think I got it right this time! I don’t see any pointy feathers…everything is rounded!

 

[sourland]

I'll go with a fast maturing pullet.
Ducks 'waddle'. Chickens have wattles.

 

[Txpollock]

I'll go with a fast maturing pullet.
Ducks 'waddle'. Chickens have wattles.

You are absolutely right!! I’ll get right one of these days!

 

[Pigeony]

Ok…I think I got it right this time! I don’t see any pointy feathers…everything is rounded! View attachment 4149058View attachment 4149059View attachment 4149060

Good news! Likely a pullet

 

[Seaslug]

Australorp hens have pretty large combs and wattles and my limited experience is that pullets grow them pretty early and may even get some color to them early. But they color up more when they get closer to point of lay. Since you want a hen, I will keep my fingers crossed for you. And I have found Australorps to be very friendly hens.