3 month old Buff Orpington.

[ll406]

So I am new to raising chickens and bought 4 chicks (3 months ago) that are all supposed to be pullets from a local store. got 1 Rhode island red, 1 barred rock, 1 buff orpington, and 1 black jersey giant. The buff orpington quickly started to show dominance and enforce that dominance ever since they were all introduced to their growing bin. The first day it was even so sweet as to protect the rhode island red whom was lethargic from the other 2 chicks(took some hand feeding/water to build up its strength). As the buff started to grow up, it was outgrowing even the jersey giant and asserting its dominance. Something that always caught my eye were how huge its legs and feet were in comparison to the others even as a young chick. Today I managed to catch a glance at how large and red the comb and wattle are, as well as the curved tail feathers.The tail feathers really caught me off guard aside from its overall size because they curved so much compared to the others that simply have straight tails aligning almost perfectly with their backs. Especially because i caught my 3 month old Jersey Giant "hen" crowing and the buff orpington is still more dominate and slightly larger. I have heard hens can crow at times but the call is nearly identical to the neighbors rooster that crows daily. Sorry if the picture isnt the best but they are now locked up in their coop for the night. If you would like any other information or angles of photos please let me know. I appreciate any information you have to offer. thanks, Lance.

 

[ll406]

PS, this little beauty is a heck of a hunter killing 2 mice while free ranging the yard in less than a month. It has even shown some aggression towards me when reaching into their coop to check their food and water. However, not obnoxiously aggressive.

 

[cherrynberry]

So I am new to raising chickens and bought 4 chicks (3 months ago) that are all supposed to be pullets from a local store. got 1 Rhode island red, 1 barred rock, 1 buff orpington, and 1 black jersey giant. The buff orpington quickly started to show dominance and enforce that dominance ever since they were all introduced to their growing bin. The first day it was even so sweet as to protect the rhode island red whom was lethargic from the other 2 chicks(took some hand feeding/water to build up its strength). As the buff started to grow up, it was outgrowing even the jersey giant and asserting its dominance. Something that always caught my eye were how huge its legs and feet were in comparison to the others even as a young chick. Today I managed to catch a glance at how large and red the comb and waddle are, as well as the curved tail feathers.The tail feathers really caught me off guard aside from its overall size because they curved so much compared to the others that simply have straight tails aligning almost perfectly with their backs. Sorry if the picture isnt the best but they are now locked up in their coop for the night. If you would like any other information or angles of photos please let me know. I appreciate any information you have to offer. thanks, Lance.

It’s a cockerel

 

[ll406]

It’s a cockerel

Thank you very much! Curious what the most defining features are that tell you so for my future reference.

 

[cherrynberry]

Thank you very much! Curious what the most defining features are that tell you so for my future reference.

Red comb, red wattle, large wattle and comb, and earlobe…large size, large legs

 

[ll406]

Red comb, red wattle, large wattle and comb, and earlobe…large size, large legs

Thank you again for your very quick and helpful responses!

 

[cherrynberry]

Thank you again for your very quick and helpful responses!

Saddle feathers would be more apparent at 12 weeks…

 

[ll406]

Saddle feathers would be more apparent at 12 weeks…

So they should grow more defined from here on out? I believe it is about 13 weeks or so. When i bought them, they ship from (murray mcmurray hatchery) to the local store. So I assume they were at least a few days old when i bought them at the store exactly 3 months ago. It’s hard for me to tell the feathers as well as I should because I am very new.

 

[cherrynberry]

So they should grow more defined from here on out? I believe it is about 13 weeks or so. When i bought them, they ship from (murray mcmurray hatchery) to the local store. So I assume they were at least a few days old when i bought them at the store exactly 3 months ago. It’s hard for me to tell the feathers as well as I should because I am very new.

It will look like this some day…these are male specific saddle feathers.

 

[ll406]

It will look like this some day…these are male specific saddle feathers.

Gotcha! That is a beautiful rooster. What breed is that?