Buff Orpington, Round Two - Are We Boys or Girls? How Old Are We?

[Cherlyn]

The little guy often looks ticked off like this, and then he pecks me if I get too close.

~Cherlyn

 

[Cherlyn]

Auuggghhhh!

Cockerels, declare yourselves! I need to hear some crowing, or see some laying, so I can sort this out!

I suppose I can keep them locked up in their actual coop, and not the run, while we are on holiday - that way if they start crowing they will not wake up the neighbors. They sleep under their coop right now. I will have to get our house-sitter to physically put them in the coop at night.

~Cherlyn

 

[gumpsgirl]

I went outside to take pics of one of my buffs for you. This pullet will be 19 wks. old Sat. Notice her comb and wattles this close to point of lay? None of my pullets have ever had that much red in their wattles and comb (they didn't have any at all) at that age. If you are seriously doubting yourself, hang on to them for a few more weeks until you know for certain. I think you will feel better in the end about your decision that way.

Notice her short, more rounded tail? Does yours have a long, pointy tail?

 

[Cherlyn]

Quote:
K, pause for a minute, 'cause I gotta ask - is your pullet sitting on a tree stump, with her legs on either side?

~Cherlyn

 

[gumpsgirl]

Ha ha ha!

It does kind of look that way, doesn't it?!?!

 

[Cherlyn]

At this point, the two straight buffs both have rounded tails. The other one definitely does not.

I think you are right - I need to hold on to them for a few more weeks so I can be certain. Besides, if they are all cockerels, they will be that much more plump then. Just in time for the holidays.

~Cherlyn

 

[Cherlyn]

Quote:

I have to train my chickens to do that!

~Cherlyn

 

[Goose and Fig]

Yeah- I'd definately give them a few more weeks. One of my blue orps developed a comb and wattles at 4 weeks. I was so sure it was a roo (I WANTED a roo- speckledhen's Suede is the sire), and it turned out to be a girl too. Even if one of them starts crowing in the next few weeks- it will take a while before it's full-fledged crowing.

 

[Cherlyn]

I have neighbours who value their early-morning hours far more than I do. If it crows, it goes, basically! But I can keep them locked up until after everyone is awake, and then let them out. Or, rather, get our house-sitter to do it since I will be at Disneyland.

~Cherlyn

 

[gumpsgirl]

How fun! So you get to visit the U.S. and go to Disneyland?!?! You're going to absolutely love it!