Buff Boy or Girl?

[CourageousChic]

Friends of ours are worried this Buff hatched 4/30 could crow any minute - I think it's a girl and they should wait it out....What do you think?

 

[SterlingAcres]

I've been thinking about it... I'm saying late developing roo because that comb is massive.

 

[shmooborp]

soorry i think its a little young to be a hen and have SUCH bigggg comb, its only like what 16 weeks? i dont know.. tho .. its feathers are very hen like

 

[redoak]

My BO Cissy had a huge comb at 18 weeks and I was worried she was a boy but she now squats. Also I don't see any sickle tail feathers on her so I'm saying hen for what it's worth.

 

[Daycare Mom]

Thats a good size comb for the age, I would wait and see. My guess is rooster.

 

[Jenlyn9483]

I have a book called, "The breeding and mating of Poultry" and it refers to "hen feathered" cocks alot..basically a rooster can be feathered like a hen sometimes and are useful to obtain certain desirable traits in a breeding program.

I dont recall if any orpingtons were hen feathered, but it was common in leghorns and Hamburgs and such..I am moving and my book is packed up or i would look for reference.

 

[DTchickens]

yeah, often there are "hen feathered" cocks. Sebrights are a prime example. all of the roosters are hen feathered. in gamefowl many lines come Hen feathered. their called "hennies" and many other breeds im sure can come hen feathered. but i think this is a little hen with a huge comb.

 

[CourageousChic]

Hen feathered Roo? Goodness, that doesn't make things any easier! I don't see any spurs yet, but maybe it's too soon. I'm so used to my girls I've forgotten exactly how this goes. But wouldn't she/he have crowed by now?

 

[DTchickens]

usually crow 5-6 + months old but by that age. they should have feathers like a rooster.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Judging by the way her tail looks, she's a she! Here's a link to Feathersite's Orpington page. Notice the difference in the roosters versus the hens tails?
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Orps/BRKOrps.html