Buff Orpington 3 week old chicks- both pullets or one of each?

[Shezadandy]

Thanks Michael!

Looking closely this evening I did notice both appear to have sprouted red wattles (6 weeks today)- both BO combs/wattles are about the same but only one cooperated with the odd angle in a room with a darker color needed to see the wattles.

Chick 1, Day 42



Chick 2, Day 42, close up of comb/wattles (overall colors look different because I had to go with no flash)



Chick 2, Same bird, same day 42, comb/feathers

 

[Shezadandy]

Here's only BO Chick #1 in approximately the same position a day later. The flash washes the color out but in person they're the same color.

Wattles of Chick #1, Day 43

 

[Shezadandy]

Here are updated pictures at 59days, just over 8 weeks, still looking pullet-y through the face:

Chick 1 (59 days)



Chick 2 (59 days)





Side-by-side (Chick 1, lower left, Chick 2, upper right)

 

[Shezadandy]

Still looking like pullets here in week 12:

 

[Shezadandy]

Happy to report that both are indeed pullets- one started a week ago and has laid 7 in 7 days. She used the nest box from her first egg on. The other "should" lay any day.... just waiting it out!

 

[Shezadandy]

Both Buff Orps are now laying!!

One (Donna) had an egg at least 10 consecutive days starting at Week 20. We were gone for a few days so I can't say for sure if she laid each of those days, but since 3/9 she has given us 16 eggs.
The other (Veronica) just started laying today, Week 23.

Donna's egg is the first picture, and Veronica's egg is the bottom right, shown with other eggs. I'm sure it will normalize as she gets into the groove but it stands out in a crowd!!

 

[Leebeez]

thank you for posting this whole thread, with updates and pictures. I have 5 BOs and am scrutinizing their various feather patterns because they are coming in differently. (just what you had, different tail feathers, some pointing up some down, some sharp feathers and some fuzzy just like yours) they are still too young (3 weeks) but loooove to compare to your pictures. Thank you. I will use this for reference in the future.

 

[Shezadandy]

@Leebeez, I'm so glad our pictures are helping! If there are any other intervals you'd like to see pictures of, either private message me or reply here with what age pictures you'd like to see!
Thanks for the message!!

 

[CKfarm22]

At that age, comb and wattle development is a much better indicator of sex in Orpingtons than feather development. Looking at their pics, I don't see anything screaming cockerel at this point so I'm thinking pullet on both of them. )

What would be screaming cockerel? I’m looking to purchase a week old BO

 

[FeatherTay]

What would be screaming cockerel? I’m looking to purchase a week old BO

Big wattles, big comb, slow feathering. That’s all that *might* scream cockerel at one week.