Chicken, rooster or crowing hen?!

[Shannon85]

I am VERY new to chicken ownership (Dec 25, 2017) and we have 7 orpingtons, they are about 19 weeks old. 2 have started crowing but I am not convinced they are roos yet as they have no cape feathers but I am not sure about the saddle feathers? We are able to return them to trade if they are roos but I am really hoping they are just having an identity crisis! To my untrained eyes all 7 look the same! Thanks for your opinions

 

[junebuggena]

How certain are you of age?

 

[Shannon85]

The lady was '"pretty sure" they were from an early September hatch but not 100%, so 18-19 weeks is a best guess. One of the 7 is older, she thinks a couple months older than the rest, and is much bigger but it's not one of these 2.

 

[MillersFarm]

I don't see any cockerels... Hens/pullets will crow if there aren't any roosters around.

 

[birdofhermes]

#2 looks like a cockerel

 

[junebuggena]

I'm guessing they are quite a bit younger than you were told. Probably under 16 weeks, considering two are crowing, but don't have clearly visible male feathering yet.
Also, there wouldn't be much of a size difference between a 18 week old compared to a bird a few months older since they are nearly fully grown at that point.

 

[Shannon85]

I don't see any cockerels... Hens/pullets will crow if there aren't any roosters around.

This is what I am hoping! We looked at the cape feathers while picking them out so I did see what the roos looked like and to me they still all look rounded. But they are crowing so... I get to wait I guess!

 

[Shannon85]

#2 looks like a cockerel

The cream coloured one? S/he was the one that started crowing a few days before the other

 

[Shannon85]

View attachment 1238209 Here they all are just for size reference to the big black one. This was Dec 28. What age do cape feathers start to come in?

 

[birdofhermes]

yes it looks like my one when he was a baby. looks like his comb is bigger than the others