two Astralorps -- is one a rooster?

[ninakat53]

Howdies all! I have two Australorps that are exactly 9 weeks old, both hatched on April 19. They're developing quite differently, and I suspect the one with the red comb is a rooster -- the other's comb hasn't even started. Or, is it possible that they could develop at different rates?

This first picture shows both chickens, with the one in question on the right:

Here's another, with the chicken in question in the foreground -- the other Australorp is in the background.

Finally, here's a clearer shot of the chicken in question:

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

 

[Mahonri]

still a little early for me... let's hope you have a hen that is developing quicker than the other.

.... but he has a roo's stance...

 

[Tala]

I'm thinkin roo

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

I feel pretty confident saying he`s a cockerel....looks just like mine did a few weeks ago. Red comb, thick legs and some saddle feathers coming in. The other looks like a pullet.

 

[High Roost Ranch]

That is definitely a cockerel. The other is a pullet.

 

[spikennipper]

Roo.

 

[ninakat53]

Thanks so much everybody -- you've confirmed what I suspected. Here's another picture taken today showing the feathers and they are clearly more pointed, which I read in the Dummies book should indicate a roo, and also the fact that the feathers are irridescent -- whereas the other Australorp doesn't have the pointed feathers OR the irridescence.

 

[mom2jedi]

Looks like a roo to me too, all of my aussies looked like your girl till they were much older then they got bigger combs and were much more red. Your girl will have the pretty sheen too but not till she's older. Boys are much more obvious with the iridescence.

 

[ninakat53]

Thanks mom2jedi. Much appreciated, sad as I am to have to part with him. (No roosters allowed here.)

 

[ninakat53]

Well, she's back and not a rooster after all -- according to the guy at the farm who kept her. But I'm still not 100% certain, except that she is almost 5 months old and doesn't crow. Is it possible that some roosters don't crow at all?

I'll take new pictures soon, and see what you all think.