Buff Orpington, Black Australorp 3 wks old

[perfectly_polish]

The BA is definitely a roo, the BO I'm going to say is a roo, but I'd give it a few more weeks.

 

[cjeanean]

Quote:
Yes, a roo almost always has a larger and redder comb sooner than a hen, and will also grow wattles more quickly.

I'd give the BO a little more time, but I think the BA is definately a roo. At three weeks there should be no color in the comb and non-existant wattles, at least in my experience (which isn't that much). Post again in another couple of weeks with an updated pic of your BO.

 

[chickenfever]

Quote:
Yes, my 5 wk old BA girl's comb and wattles still look like the BO you have shown as far as color and size of wattles.

 

[LauraSBale]

Aww those a cute pics

 

[jmeeter88]

Quote:
Seriously?? Man I feel ripped off...

 

[perfectly_polish]

Quote:
Seriously?? Man I feel ripped off...

The BO looks very developed in the face for only 3 weeks, so maybe give it a few more weeks but that BA is most definitely a roo!

 

[DawnSuiter]

both boys

that's my vote.

 

[Slike]

That much comb and red in wattles at 3 weeks, I'd say BA is a roo, BO may be slower developing roo or may just have a little bit of a large comb for that age.

Both very nice pics btw.

 

[jmeeter88]

Ok guys, when will I know for sure that they are roosters? And when will they start crowing?

 

[huppfarm]

howdy! the male australorp will have long pointed cicle feathers on the hackles (neck) and the saddle feathers next to the tail feathers will be long and pointed also. the female will have both round ended feathers on hackles and cushion.

ive been out of the business for a while but i seem to remember that the chicks when hatched would have black or yellow/white fluff on their faces. the dark faced chicks seemed to turn out female and the splotched faces turn out to be males. just an observation.

the feathers will tell the story long before the cockerral crows.

hope that helped!