Buff Orpington markings

[JenWillo]

I have a few buff Orpington chicks that were born with quite distinct marks on their heads. Is this an indication of gender or just one of those things?

 

[sourland]

Any possible there might be some other DNA there ?

 

[The Happster]

It's nothing to do with gender if they're pure BO.
BO do get speckling. It does appear to be pure Orp.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Are they pure? I‘ve never seen that!

 

[The Happster]

90% of my hatchlings get it. It can be quite confusing. It usually grows out, although often can be seen if you lift the feathers.
These are pure BO pullet chicks.

 

[JenWillo]

Yes definitely pure.
I had 8 hatch and 3 had the markings.
Are there any sexing indications on them? Some of them seem to develop wing feathers a bit earlier on

 

[The Happster]

You generally just have to wait until five weeks with BO.
I find the girls tend to get tails and wings all developed within the first few weeks, while the boys take a lot longer.
My 12 week old BO cockerel right now is still growing his tail in. The pullet got her apparatus by week 2.

 

[Gray Farms]

Its not an indication of sex what so ever. A few of my Buff Orps have these markings at hatch as well.