Do I have an orpington rooster on my hands?

[Whitfield]

My wife and I have had a strong suspicion that the favorite of our 4-chicken flock, Phyllis, is actually a Phil. We've been told to watch for a spur growing out of the back of each leg, but the only thing we see so far is a white circle in that spot, and that appears on all four birds. In any case, the differences between Phyllis and her sister June are:

- June is quiet like the other birds, Phyllis recently started making stereotypical chicken sounds (bok-bok-bok-boKAK! bok-bok-bok-boKAK!) for minutes at a time.

- Phyllis has a lot more "facial appendages" at this point, including a larger comb, as shown in the attached photo.

- Phyllis is slightly larger, and has always been the boldest of the four (from day one, she was always trying to escape her enclosures).

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[ambabya]

How old are they?

 

[Whitfield]

Ah, that would have been a good thing to include. They were all born around April 1st, so they are about 4.5 months old.

 

[and-roo]

Looks like a pullet to me. I've noticed a certain age where hens will suddenly mature quite a bit right before they start laying, maybe you'll get some eggs soon

 

[Cowgirl71]

4.5 months? Definitely a Phyllis then.

Phyllis is getting ready to start laying, hence the big red comb and wattles. She'll likely start laying by the end of the month!

 

[Whitfield]

I'll be danged (edit), that's great! And also a bit surprising - just this morning my wife was reading that larger hens like orpingtons tend to start laying later. Then I guess we'll start watching (and listening) for our first home-made egg!

 

[Cowgirl71]

I'll be danged (edit), that's great! And also a bit surprising - just this morning my wife was reading that larger hens like orpingtons tend to start laying later. Then I guess we'll start watching (and listening) for our first home-made egg!

My Buff Orps generally start to lay at 19-22 weeks. If you haven't already, I'd get some nest boxes made and installed!

 

[Whitfield]

Awesome! And fortunately our coop has them built-in and ready to go. Thanks for your help, that's a huge load off our minds!

 

[DanEP]

That is a pullet, at 18 weeks if you had a cockerel you'd know it for sure.

 

[donrae]

Agree that's a pullet. Some Orpington boys'll fool you, but a slow developing cockerel at this age would be leggy and unfinished looking, she's nicely rounded and feminine. A cockerel would also have darker buff shading on the wings, she's a nice even gold throughout. Agree she'll lay first, but it may not be for another month or so.