12 week Orloff; Sir or Madame?

[CaliforniaPeeping]

Hello! I am reasonably certain that 4 out of 5 of my birds are pullets. My fifth one I'm not certain. I've looked at pictures and they do not look like the photos of Orloff cockerels I've seen and they have not made any crowing noises. They are however twice as big as the other birds and very bossy.

Here is Princess PeaPea.

IMG_2681

• CaliforniaPeeping
• Oct 1, 2018

IMG_2683

• CaliforniaPeeping
• Oct 1, 2018

IMG_2684

• CaliforniaPeeping
• Oct 1, 2018

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Pretty sure princess is a prince for reasons known only to my gut...lol

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

cockerel.

 

[CaliforniaPeeping]

Pretty sure princess is a prince for reasons known only to my gut...lol

I go back and forth about 5 times a day. My hang up is that they don't have the pointy feathers and haven't made any kind of crowing noise at all.

They're totally my favorite though.

 

[JedJackson]

I think cockerel, too. The bird has no male feathering yet, and the comb is still pale, although a little large. But the stance, the size, and the thick legs indicate a probable cockerel from my point of view.

 

[JedJackson]

I go back and forth about 5 times a day. My hang up is that they don't have the pointy feathers and haven't made any kind of crowing noise at all.

They're totally my favorite though.

It's early days for male feathering, especially in a slow developing breed like Orloffs. But you'd be wise to hold onto it for a while to make sure one way or another.

 

[JedJackson]

I go back and forth about 5 times a day. My hang up is that they don't have the pointy feathers and haven't made any kind of crowing noise at all.

They're totally my favorite though.

It's early days for male feathering, especially in a slow developing breed like Orloffs. But you'd be wise to hold onto it for a while to make sure one way or another.

 

[CaliforniaPeeping]

I think cockerel, too. The bird has no male feathering yet, and the comb is still pale, although a little large. But the stance, the size, and the thick legs indicate a probable cockerel from my point of view.

Do you know about when they start to grow those feathers? And when they are usually vocalizing? My first chicken experience.

 

[CaliforniaPeeping]

It's early days for male feathering, especially in a slow developing breed like Orloffs. But you'd be wise to hold onto it for a while to make sure one way or another.

I won't be getting rid of them unless I absolutely have to. There are tons of chicken owners around me and several of them have roosters. I know that doesn't make it okay/right but it doesn't seem to be an issue in my immediate area.

 

[Melky]

I would wait longer maybe can tell more by feathering at 17 weeks with long neck, saddle, and tail feathers. Crowing usually starts by 2-4 months but can take up to 6 months. Good Luck!