12 week old Lavender Orpington gender?

[crazychickenlady81]

I'm new to raising chickens, and am having trouble figuring out if one of my ladies, Louise, is actually a roo. I've started calling her Lou in case we need to make a gender switch. S/he has a more developed, and more red comb than my other lav orpington, but other than that doesn't seem to show other roo qualities. S/he just recently started making a new noise that the other chickens don't make. I can't really explain it but my first thought was a terrible attempt at crowing. However, after looking at some other posts, I'm wondering if that noise is actually an early attempt at an egg laying song. S/he also doesn't seem to have pointy saddle feathers, but they do seem a little more messy looking than my other lav orp, as if s/he isn't preening as well or something. I've included some photos for reference. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

That is a cockerel. Way to much red comb and waddles at that age.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I also see pointy hackle feathers. He was probably trying to crow. Even if it was a pullet, they don't start laying eggs until around twenty weeks, so it wouldn't be an egg song.

 

[andreanar]

I'm going cockerel. Not seeing saddle feathers yet, but see the pointy hackles

 

[crazychickenlady81]

I'm going cockerel. Not seeing saddle feathers yet, but see the pointy hackles

Yes, I do notice the pointy hackles, but they seem to look about the same as my other lav orp, which I believe is definitely a hen. Are roos as friendly as hens? Lou is probably the friendliest of all my chickens, and is always the first to come when called. If she is indeed a he, is his attitude going to change dramatically towards me?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You have a cockerel... handsome chap

 

[aart]

Yes, I do notice the pointy hackles, but they seem to look about the same as my other lav orp, which I believe is definitely a hen.

But is pullets comb and wattles as red?
That is really the clincher in my book.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is also a good thing to note.

 

[crazychickenlady81]

aart-
No, the pullets comb and wattles are definitely not as red, or as big. Which was also my first tip off that Lou was a actually cockerel.

And thanks for clearing up the chicken terms.

All of my chickens are just over 12 weeks, and were sexted females as chicks, but I know that isn't a guarantee of gender... so thats why I thought I'd get some feedback from you all.

 

[andreanar]

Yes, I do notice the pointy hackles, but they seem to look about the same as my other lav orp, which I believe is definitely a hen. Are roos as friendly as hens? Lou is probably the friendliest of all my chickens, and is always the first to come when called. If she is indeed a he, is his attitude going to change dramatically towards me?

Little cockerels usually seem more friendly, but thats usually because they are more dominant than pullets. A dominant and aggressive personality is sometimes misinterpreted as friendliness. Nastiness usually comes around the time of hormones. As early as 5-6 months. Sometimes you get lucky with a nice roo, sometimes not. Time will tell. For now, I would stop petting and acknowledging him. Walk thru him. A good roo will keep his distance.

 

[biophiliac]

I'm going cockerel. Not seeing saddle feathers yet, but see the pointy hackles

Yep, and aren't those tail feathers sickle shaped curves?