10wk old Buff Orpington cockerel?

[FreeRangeCowes]

We aren’t allowed to keep cockerels past 12wks.
I have one (of 7) who has behaved and feathered differently for weeks. Now, it looks even more distinctly different from the others in that female hatch purchase. For about a week, at around 5a, while still on the roost, it stretches its neck and squaks loudly a few times as if trying to crow.
When I posted an ad with photo to rehome it, both responses were that it’s a pullet.

Is the buff Orpington with larger, darker comb a cockerel?
Thanks!

 

[The Happster]

Yes. He is a boy.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

We aren’t allowed to keep cockerels past 12wks.
I have one (of 7) who has behaved and feathered differently for weeks. Now, it looks even more distinctly different from the others in that female hatch purchase. For about a week, at around 5a, while still on the roost, it stretches its neck and squaks loudly a few times as if trying to crow.
When I posted an ad with photo to rehome it, both responses were that it’s a pullet.

Is the buff Orpington with larger, darker comb a cockerel?
Thanks!

It, and the Barred Rock, are male.

 

[FreeRangeCowes]

Thanks, I was so sure about those 2 - until I was told otherwise

 

[The Happster]

Yeah. Whoever told you the buff was a girl was wrong. It is 100% a roo. As TheOddOneOut says, so is the BR.
It's a shame you can't keep roosters. Buff Orps are lovely, and so I hear are Barred Rocks.
I'm sure you will be able to sell them, they are very handsome birds.

 

[FreeRangeCowes]

Yeah. Whoever told you the buff was a girl was wrong. It is 100% a roo. As TheOddOneOut says, so is the BR.
It's a shame you can't keep roosters. Buff Orps are lovely, and so I hear are Barred Rocks.
I'm sure you will be able to sell them, they are very handsome birds.

Thanks, I’ve never kept chickens without a rooster, but we moved to town a couple years ago. This guy is the nicest and so great with kids & watching over the flock. I’d definitely keep him if I could. Of my 17 male chicks, I really hope those 2 and a younger Australorp will find homes. I have an ad up for these 2.

 

[loohoo]

Literally the same exact thing happened to me..at 10 weeks...with a Buff Orpington
He had always had a bigger and redder comb than the other girls but behaved 100% like them...not roostery at all. Everyone told me he was a girl. Then boom....started developing cockerel saddle feathers. Not crowing yet but definitely not a girl.
Mine looks exactly like yours.

 

[The Happster]

He doesn't have saddle feathers yet, but yes. Clearly a man.
When I got my first buff orp about 7 years ago I thought he was a girl. For ten months!!!
He had huge spurs by the time someone kindly pointed out I had a roo.

 

[loohoo]

He doesn't have saddle feathers yet, but yes. Clearly a man.
When I got my first buff orp about 7 years ago I thought he was a girl. For ten months!!!
He had huge spurs by the time someone kindly pointed out I had a roo.

Thats hilarious!! He was flying under the radar!
I'm convinced our Ginger saw we found a new home for the other 2 boys we had and decided right then and there that he was a girl...until his feathers gave him away.

 

[The Happster]

He did himself a favour. We weren't allowed to keep boys at the time, but he acted like a big girl so we kept him. We only realized he was a boy after we moved to the country. He lived to a good age. He was the best chicken I've ever had.
I have a soft spot for Buff orp boys.
Just before he died I decided I loved the breed, he was so gentle, so I decided to go and get some more. I have those buffs, their children, their children's children and now their children's children's children. The youngest is 2 weeks.
All those children are getting me confused.
To put it shortly, I love buff orps and really recommend them.