Wyandotte Mystery

[YaYasDottes]

My hens have been getting their backs and tail feathers torn up. I separated two chickens that I thought might be roosters. Can you Wyandotte experts help me out with deciding if this is a rooster?

The saddle feathers look and feel like long soft pine needles. The back feathers are narrower and more pointed than its coopmates'. It is suddenly growing iridescent black and green tail feathers. On the belly, it does not have soft down, but feathers that look like miniature chimney sweep brushes. All of its feathers are thicker in the shaft, and it has about double the number of the others'. At 8 months of age, it does not crow, but it is definitely the most dominant chicken in the flock.

Thanks for taking time to offer your opinions!

 

[EmmaRainboe]

8 months? Pullet.

 

[black_cat]

That's a girl.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

For sure a pullet.

 

[sourland]

pullet

 

[sekeyslaks]

Agreed pullet if your hens are getting torn up by the tail you might have an overly dominant hen who is bullying the others! It happens all the time in normal flocks.the bully may just be bored or you need more feeders to keep the peace during feeding.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Definitely pullet. If you don't have any males, you might look into bullying or mites.