*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[speckledhen]

I have breeder Buff and Blue Orps so this is the first time in many years that I've bought Orps from any hatchery, but at least it isn't the same hatchery that gave me poor hens who died one by one from reproductive malfunctions. They could be better on their sexing, though, for cripes sake!

 

[thedragonlady]

Seems no one answers my threads much any more. I did post asking if this week old chick was indeed a male, but no answer. It's different than the other Buff Orp and the two New Hampshire sexed pullets so I think this is a sexing mistake due to the lack of tail and the way the wings are coming out. What say you, Buff Orp breeders? Male chick? Seems to be like all the Blue Orp male chicks I've hatched over the years.




The chick in the background looking left has full wings and tail like the others, but not this little one.


Others.

It's a bit early to tell from these photos. Sometimes Orps will fool you.

 

[jubilation]

Seems no one answers my threads much any more. I did post asking if this week old chick was indeed a male, but no answer. It's different than the other Buff Orp and the two New Hampshire sexed pullets so I think this is a sexing mistake due to the lack of tail and the way the wings are coming out. What say you, Buff Orp breeders? Male chick? Seems to be like all the Blue Orp male chicks I've hatched over the years.




The chick in the background looking left has full wings and tail like the others, but not this little one.


Others.

It's really hard to tell at that age unless you are an expert in sexing them that young. I have a 3 week old buff that I thought might be a roo because it has a small comb already and the others don't. It is also larger than the others. It is also aggressive and goes around putting it's foot on the backs of the other chicks but then I happened to see a vent in the back so I'm pretty much convinced it is an aggressive hen.

 

[speckledhen]

I raised BBS Orps for years. Most every time the wings came in this way and no tail, it was a cockerel. I was fooled big time only a couple of times, mostly because the breeder type Orp hens were tanks just like the males. My Smoky looked male and feathered out like one and fooled me until she was 10 weeks old or so. She was the mother of many chicks. This is just the first hatchery Orp I've owned in quite some time and I just have a hunch it's a cockerel. Sure hope I'm wrong!

 

[Tappy4me]

What is the earliest you can start sexing Buff Orps? Out of our 12 BOs, (straight run) it seems like there are 5 or 6 with Roo-ish personalities..They're hopping at others, feet first, pecking others wings, ect...But their tail feathers are all standing straight up.

My friendliest one has a bushy tail that curves downwards. Thinking she's a female due to her really submissive personality and just super friendly behavior.

Edited to add:
This is her here...not a great quality photo, due to being from my phone.

 

[Big Orp]

Seems no one answers my threads much any more. I did post asking if this week old chick was indeed a male, but no answer. It's different than the other Buff Orp and the two New Hampshire sexed pullets so I think this is a sexing mistake due to the lack of tail and the way the wings are coming out. What say you, Buff Orp breeders? Male chick? Seems to be like all the Blue Orp male chicks I've hatched over the years.




The chick in the background looking left has full wings and tail like the others, but not this little one.


Others.

You will know by 4 to 5 weeks.
Boys hackle, wing and tail feathers will be more pointed while the girls will have rounded feathers.
Girls tails will also be longer at that age.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote: Actually, the sex feathers will not be different at 4-5 weeks of age. That does not happen until weeks later when the male hackle and saddle feathers come in. Remember, I've raised many Orps over the years, only the blue variety from breeder stock, it's just been awhile. I've sexed them way before a month old, just haven't had a hatchery Buff in many years. I was just wanting a quick, in-the-now assessment from experienced Orpington breeders on this chick, not a wait and see. I know that is 100% accurate.

The pullets have longer tails by the age of a week to two weeks old, not a month. That is in most breeds, not just Orps. This chick in question already is way behind in the tail department and in the wings as well. So, I'll just bet $5 it's a cockerel right now since no one wants to venture a guess for me. And if I'm wrong, I'll be quite happy to be so!

 

[Johnn]

 

[IloveBuffy]

Ginger's the one in the doll shower and the other one's Buffy

 

[3goodeggs]