Buff Orpingtons: did a female bird slip into our "Heavies" order?

[sunnywoodlands]

I placed a meat bird order of 25 mixed-breed "heavies" earlier this year that came with one "surprise" chick. I think the surprise was supposed to be [what I think was] a Red Ranger, that grew faster than all the rest (and unfortunately got attacked early on by the rest and succumbed to the pecking bullies).

We also got surprised that one of the Plymouth Barred Rocks was a pullet! And now, I'm thinking that maybe one of the Buffs is, too.

The Buffs in this order could have been Buff Rocks or Buff Orpingtons (based on the list of possible heavies that would be included) Due to the pale leg color, I've assumed they were Orpingtons.

But now that they are six months old, I am wondering about one that just doesn't have the large comb and wattle that the other one has, nor the curled tail feathers.. It's just as big as the one that's obviously a male, though, if not a bit bigger!

Attached are some pics that include both...what do you think?

Thanks!

-- Bonnie

 

[cherrynberry]

I placed a meat bird order of 25 mixed-breed "heavies" earlier this year that came with one "surprise" chick. I think the surprise was supposed to be [what I think was] a Red Ranger, that grew faster than all the rest (and unfortunately got attacked early on by the rest and succumbed to the pecking bullies).

We also got surprised that one of the Plymouth Barred Rocks was a pullet! And now, I'm thinking that maybe one of the Buffs is, too.

The Buffs in this order could have been Buff Rocks or Buff Orpingtons (based on the list of possible heavies that would be included) Due to the pale leg color, I've assumed they were Orpingtons.

But now that they are six months old, I am wondering about one that just doesn't have the large comb and wattle that the other one has, nor the curled tail feathers.. It's just as big as the one that's obviously a male, though, if not a bit bigger!

Attached are some pics that include both...what do you think?

Thanks!

-- Bonnie

Both Buffs are cockerels

Cockerels can mature at different rates. But both birds have male saddles.

 

[3KillerBs]

I think those are both cockerels, but just as you can get "oops roosters" in a pullet order you can get "oops hens" in a cockerel order.

 

[Little Baby Bean]

I placed a meat bird order of 25 mixed-breed "heavies" earlier this year that came with one "surprise" chick. I think the surprise was supposed to be [what I think was] a Red Ranger, that grew faster than all the rest (and unfortunately got attacked early on by the rest and succumbed to the pecking bullies).

We also got surprised that one of the Plymouth Barred Rocks was a pullet! And now, I'm thinking that maybe one of the Buffs is, too.

The Buffs in this order could have been Buff Rocks or Buff Orpingtons (based on the list of possible heavies that would be included) Due to the pale leg color, I've assumed they were Orpingtons.

But now that they are six months old, I am wondering about one that just doesn't have the large comb and wattle that the other one has, nor the curled tail feathers.. It's just as big as the one that's obviously a male, though, if not a bit bigger!

Attached are some pics that include both...what do you think?

Thanks!

-- Bonnie

Yup both buffs are cockerels.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Buff orpington cockerels.

 

[WisteriaCoop]

Wow! They're beautiful!