The speckled Sussex is really old, but I think the light came about later on. I read somewhere that Barred rocks were used in the original crosses but obviously some feather legged breed must have played a part. It's strange how little is known about the creation of many of our breeds and varieties but I find it interesting to learn as much as possible.
I can see a hatchery quality LB with a single comb but adding the white legs of this bird makes it seem improbable. I think it's a cross.
Could be.
Whatever it is it's a nice, healthy looking hen. That's the main thing in my book.
Yup!
No, pullets don't have pointy saddle feathers and neither do hens, except very rarely in Phoenix chickens, which this bird definitely is not. I can't see anything in picture 7, though, even when it's blown up. The feathers just look slightly ruffled. While I think it is probably a pullet, large breeds are slow to develop and sometimes you will get a late blooming cockerel, so you're not totally out of the woods. But at this point I am seeing nothing that says cockerel.
To me it just looks like a spread feather or two where the web has come apart. Who knows? It's difficult to tell on white birds.
