Does slower feathering in an Orpington mean it's a roo?

blackgoat

Chirping
5 Years
Apr 17, 2014
460
55
93
Blacksburg, VA
I got these chicks two weeks ago. There are 7 breeds, and some are feathering faster than others. They might be slightly different ages, but I don't think they are more than a few days apart. I have 2 Buff Orpingtons. One seems to be is feathering slower than the rest of the chicks, and a lot slower than the other Buff. I was worried for a week because I thought there was something wrong with him(?). He also has a narrower head and a curvier beak. He is also the most wary of people, the rest of them come running when I give them treats, and he kind of hangs in the back until I'm not near the cage anymore. I was wondering if he's a rooster. And if I should be calling him "he". I ordered all female from Meyer Hatchery, but there is a 10% chance of a male, so, out of 15, the odds are I'll get at least one male. Also, bonus points if anyone can identify the breed in the last pic. I got a an extra, random chick, and have been trying to figure out what it is.

Chick 1, Buff Orpington . She has feathers on her shoulders and tail, and long wing feathers.



Chick 2 Buff Orpington. Slower feathering than the above chick. No shoulder or tail feathers, and much shorter wing feathers. also, a weird extra-curvy beak, it's not too noticeable in the pic, but, trust me, it doesn't look like any of the others.


Chick 3 A chick that I've named Surprise because it has been a guessing game on what breed she is.


Chick 3, better image of feathers



Thanks for your input. These are my first chickens and I'm super excited about them!
 
Well, it really depends on the line of Orpingtons. In the blues I used to raise, yes it did about 99% of the time, however, I just got one that is out of hatchery stock and she feathered like a male. Still has no tail at all at 10 weeks old, very pink comb and wattles, BUT they are still shaped/sized like a pullet. I had pegged her for a cockerel from my former experience with my breeder BBS Orps, but thankfully, she was just different.

Does chick #3 have a single comb or a pea comb? If single, could be a Speckled Sussex or Welsummer. I've had both and they are very similar at that age. If pea combed, maybe one of those many patterned Easter Eggers.
 
Last edited:
I thought I'd post an update, for those interested. She eventually got her tail, but it took a few months.
400

400


and,
The mystery chick is....
400

A Welsummer!
 
Having welsummer and speckled sussexes I've noticed a u like pattern on sussexes back and more like an 11 on the welsummer, also the eyeliner is more defined on sussexes than the welsummer even than on welsummer gals
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom