Buff Orpingtons 3+ weeks -Do tails tell a story?

[hollyandty]

I have 29 3+ weeks olds that I am trying to sex. I was told that the ones with tails were hens and the ones without were roos. Whichever way it works out it is pretty obvious in the brooder that the tail means something. I have about half with and half without. What do you all think.
First 2 pics no tail.

These 2 pics have tails

 

[speckledhen]

Usually, the early tail-getters are the girls. Also, along the side of the neck and the center of the back, the males feather in more slowly, so sometimes look a little bald.

 

[chickenbottom]

omg buff orps they are lovely im not sure about the tail but i hope they are girls so you can keep em and we can get pictures later on when they are older

 

[hollyandty]

Thanks for the input. I was hoping that was the case. I want to keep all my hens and import a rooster to keep the flock healthy.

I am now officially addicted to hatching and BYC. You guys are wonderful.

Side note: Just watched 2 more hatch this morning. Love my Hovabator!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

My girls (and they ALL turned out to be girls) mostly got their tails early. The one that I thought was never going to get tail feathers turned out to be the layer of the biggest eggs, and the alpha hen. She is also the sweetest and easiest to hold, and first to go broody. Her tail feathers took about 3 months to grow in.

 

[Mahonri]

Orp pullets get tails early.