[Casey76]

I was just about to say that Pauline.

That pullet has a very typical "leghorn" tail.

Of course it could mean that the is an amberlink or white star (both of which are leghorn based hybrids).

When she is a bit older, you will be able to tell from her earlobe if she has leghorn blood, as it will be white

[Laurie1203]

Oh wow - this gets more and more complicated lol. Thanks very much for all your input. I will keep a look out for changes that might help pin it down as she/he gets older.  It's quite exciting not knowing what it may turn into!

What age do you think I should be able to tell for sure what it is?

[cheekychick22]

She is the excactly like my white leghorn fmale about 10 weeks

[Laurie1203]

Thanks cheekychick22 - if it were to turn out to be a leghorn do you think it would still be a nice companion for my little lavender Pekin girl? Do they generally have a nice temperament? Would much prefer it to be a girl whatever breed it ends up being as I think I am much more likely to have problems with a rooster. My little girl has turned into a very bossy little thing since we lost her mate - definitely taken on the role of the rooster but she is getting on a bit now.

[cheekychick22]

I have mixed breeds in mine which are all pure breed she has settled in really well and loves to cuddle up with my very feathery silkie so i would she will be great company for your peking

[Chicken star]

I would say a leghorn too and looks about 5-7 weeks old.

[Laurie1203]

My little boy/girl is not do little anymore and where it was totally white before the feathers now seem to be turning a bit more of a creamy colour. Does this go long with what you would expect from a leghorn?

[Casey76]

No. Leghorns are completely white, but it doesn't rule out a leghorn based hybrid

[Laurie1203]

Thanks very much for your help 

Will try to post another picture tomorrow now it is that much older to see what everyone thinks. Still no sign of whether I have a little boy or a little girl even though it is huge already compared to my Pekin bantam. I'm guessing it must be full size now - certainly hope so anyway 

I guess the older it gets without signs of it being a boy the better as from what I have read they usually show their characteristics earlier and we would much prefer a girl.

[GrannieAnnie]

It's not an Amberlink, as they are not leghorn based.  pic attached of our first Amberlinks at 6 weeks old.  See the difference in the tail? 

I agree about the tail looking like a leghorn though.  So yes, could be a white star type

[Laurie1203]

They are gorgeous and very similar but I can definitely see what you mean about the tail. Arrrgh there is so much to learn about this chicken keeping business!

I am glad to say that whatever it turns out to be it has made a fantastic friend for my lonely lavender Pekin girl. They get on so well and are now inseparable. Interestingly my little female now does what the male used to do to her with food - she picks up something tasty and holds it in her beak and makes a rosey noise until the other bird comes and takes it from her beak. A real role reversal there. I don't know if she is doing it because she has assumed the role of the cockerel which i have read can happen with all female groups or because the new one is young or maybe even that she knows what sex it is and that has something to do with it.

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww, I'm pleased they have taken to each other Laurie.  Have you put them back in together at night now?  They should be fine as they go to sleep once it gets dark, so there won't be any prowling about at night!

[Laurie1203]

Yes they are in together now. The new one took to climbing on top of the coop at dusk as our original half heartedly chased it out if it tried to go in with her when she went to bed but she didn't object when we picked it up and put it in so we started doing that each night. Now they go in together and cuddle up - they actually get on better than my little Pekin did with her original mate that we lost. Hope it stays the same once this one is fully mature as it seems to have a lovely nature at the moment