BO Rooster

[Jersey Jon]

My chicks are 20 weeks and still no eggs

. One has just gotten very red waddles and comb. No Spurs, No Crowing, No Squatting

So whats your thoughts? Hen or Roo

He/She does growl when m y wife and I sit about 30' away, then quits when we come close.






Thanks for any help in advance!!!!!

 

[chicmom]

Looks like you've got some very nice buff Orpingtons there! And I do see a rooster, as you've already suspected.

I've found that the larger breeds, like Orpingtons, do take a bit longer to begin laying. The average age for hens to begin laying is 20 weeks, but I do believe my Opringtons took maybe 24 weeks to begin laying.

 

[Jersey Jon]

Thanks Chicmom, we enjoy them.

But now I have to get rid of this rooster ASAP.

 

[speckledhen]

Some Buff Orp hens, especially hatchery stock have bigger comb/wattles than the breeder stock, to the point of being floppy, even. I can't say that is a rooster unless I see the back/saddle area, not for sure, though that is a pretty large comb. The comb is not the main indicator of a male. Saddle feathers are.

 

[Jersey Jon]

Thanks for moving MOD.

How about this view speckled hen:

 

[speckledhen]

I'm sorry, I can't see well enough through that fencing with the glare. I don't see anything that looks like saddle feathers, but again, not a good angle, plus the fencing in the way...Saddle feathers on roosters are very shiny, skinny and in a fringe that hangs over both sides of the back, just in front of the tail.

 

[donrae]

I agree not the best pic, esp through the fence, but I'm not seeing anything that says roo. I'm seeing point of lay pullets. If you let them free range you might need to go on an egg hunt. They don't know they're supposed to lay in a nest box.

 

[Jersey Jon]

I'll take a few more shots when I let them out tonight...

I really appreciate the help thus far!

 

[Jersey Jon]

Update - the He/She did the squat last night..... eggs should be coming soon.

Thanks again for all input!

 

[Red Barn Farms]

I suppose all three of these are cockerels?