Buff Orpington Roo?

[cafrhe]

Well, I think 'she' is acting more like a hen. I heard the "I laid and egg" call and ran outside with my daughter to see. No egg but I am pretty sure it was this chicken calling. I heard the call 1 or 2 more times over the last few days. A couple of the RIR girls have very red combs and wattles too. But no eggs. Then yesterday I reached out to pet her and she squatted...so more evidence towards hen??

 

[donrae]

That's a hen. The comb and wattles are perfectly in line with a mature laying hen, which she's becoming. Her nice thin legs, even body coloring with no darker shading on the wing and rounded body shape all say female. A cockerel this age, even a later blooming guy, would still be gawky and leggy looking, and have the darker gold on the wings and probably the hackles. I'd say eggs are not very far away from this girl. The others will soon look just like her as they mature.

 

[abserbean]

Yeah, great news! If she is squatting, then she is just about to lay. So glad it ended up being a hen for you guys.

 

[cafrhe]

Thanks!! I am happy as well. Now we can continue looking for a RIR rooster. But after the health scare with one of my EEs, I am concerned about getting a bird who's history I dont know. Want to get a bird from somewhere where they know the vaccinations etc.

 

[appleturnover]

any eggs to go with the songs yet?
lots to learn - thanks for this!
elisa

 

[cafrhe]

No eggs that I have found yet...Thanks for asking. I havent heard the song in the last few days either. Not sure if I have to search the yard better or if we are still waiting. The girls are pastured and I just moved the fences this weekend. I have a better shot at finding eggs in the new area. Less foliage.

 

[cafrhe]

And still no stinkin' eggs! The other buffs are catching up on the redness of the combs/wattles, I have at least 3-4 'squatters' and all the girls are friendlier. I now get rushed when I come into the pen. Not sure why...They dont want to be picked up, but follow me around talking. Just bought 2 dozen eggs from another farm. Hopefully that will get me some of my own eggs!!

 

[cafrhe]

So today I have 2 little tiny eggs. But not the Buff laying. Definitely a RIR. I am not sure if I missed an egg yesterday of if she laid 2 today. Same spot. And she was all over the coop trying to pick a spot this morning. Same girl was noisy yesterday, but I didnt see the intense 'gotta find a next' behavior. Still waiting on the Buff girls. 2 are squatting at every excuse.

 

[abserbean]

Man, to have such a prominent comb, she sure is making you wait!

 

[cafrhe]

The other 2 buffs are gaining on her with comb size and redness. I hope she isnt laying yet--if she is, she's hiding them very well!! But I really thought she'd be laying by now!