Orpingtons: Pullets or Cockerels?

[Cels]

Hello All!

I have two suspected Cockerels, and I'd really love all of your opinions. These chicks are a little over 5 weeks old (these pictures are from about 3 days ago), and I have two that I am definitely leaning towards rooster, but I have heard that Orpingtons are notoriously difficult when it comes to sexing.

I am almost certain the Lemon is a male: he has a larger red comb, a short tail, and is feathering out MUCH slower than the others. The only thing is he still doesn't have any sign of waddles coming in yet (picture below).

The Lavender under scrutiny also has a larger red comb, and tiny flesh-colored waddles, but is feathered out just like my other three and has a long tail (picture below). I'm also assuming male, but I didn't know if flesh-colored waddles at this age guaranteed rooster.

Any insight? If they have mostly pink/red combs at this age (a little yellow still on the top tip), is it a 100% that they are roo's?

Here is a comparison of the large combed lavender (picture 1 below) and the large combed lemon (picture 2 below) next to a couple of my others (same age, much smaller combs):

Thank you in advance!

 

[summerb123]

Those 2 look like cockerels

 

[WyoChickies]

Yep- they are definitely cockerels.

 

[Cels]

Yep- they are definitely cockerels.

So it is 100% that they are cockerels if they show that much comb at this age, despite not having any waddles?

I just want to make sure there isn't a chance they aren't just comby hens (not holding my breath for the Lemon)! I can only hold back three anyway, but I also wanted reference for the future. I didn't know if large pinkish combs, but long tail, well feathered, and barely any waddle at this age still guaranteed cockerel.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Both are all male.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

So it is 100% that they are cockerels if they show that much comb at this age, despite not having any waddles?

I just want to make sure there isn't a chance they aren't just comby hens (not holding my breath for the Lemon)! I can only hold back three anyway, but I also wanted reference for the future. I didn't know if large pinkish combs, but long tail, well feathered, and barely any waddle at this age still guaranteed cockerel.

Yes.

 

[WyoChickies]

The wattles are coming soon. At that age- that comb is a huge indicator. It'll get more red and the wattles will show up. They don't get the male feathering until around 12-13 weeks. Some people have seen trends on cockerels being slower to feather, but it's not always the case.

 

[Cels]

Thank you! I figured as much, but just wanted to get confirmation that large comb at 5 weeks = 100% cockerel! There is one other I'm suspect of (no large comb or waddles yet), but body wise looks similar to that Lavender boy posted above.

I will have to post pictures this evening of the three possible pullets, and get opinions! Thanks again!

 

[Cels]

Here are pictures of the three I believe could be pullets (a few repeats of the same three chickens). The cockerel is the secondary bird in picture 5 and 7, and barely on the right side of picture 4 and 6, so please ignore him. Picture 7 has all three of the possible pullets in it. What do you all think??

1) Two of the possible pullets:

2) One:

3) Two:

4) One and Two (cockerel on far right):

5) Cockerel on left and Three:

6) One:

7) Cockerel in back and One in front:

 

[junebuggena]

So far, only that one Lavender is looking like a cockerel. Most Orpingtons are quite as quick to develop. Often times, cockerels aren't obvious till well over 10 weeks of age.