Droopy tail feathers ...

[J.D]

Hi all, I recently added two buffs to my flock and bunty's tail feathers are bit droopy.

She's about 3 months old so she's still quite young I was wondering if it's because she hasn't filled out yet?

She is eating well and and isn't at all lethargic it's just the feathers ...

 

[Lady of McCamley]

If you are fairly certain of the ages, about 3 months old, that means about 12 weeks old, maybe 14 weeks...then

Those droopy tail feathers are the start of sickle and saddle feathers.

That's also pretty developed combs in Buff Orpingtons for 3 months...all though some lines can be a bit precocious.

I'm inclined to think the left is a pullet (though mature for 3 months) and the left is a developing rooster if 3 months of age.

If they are older, say closer to 4 months (and honestly their body builds tell me that is likely) you could have 2 pullets close to lay...but the right one's droopy feathers indicate possibility of roo.

 

[J.D]

Thankyou for the reply! I was a little worried But that's made me feel better!

I got them both from the same lady, she said that clementine (left) was hatched last Nov, but Bunty (right - droopy feathers) was hatched in May of this year. Does that sound about right?

She did say they were both hens but I guess it can be an easy mistake to make haha...?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Yes that sounds right...the left is looking to be a full grown hen of laying age.

If Bunty was hatched in May of this year, that could 3 to 3 1/2 months of age, almost 4.

So that would be about right.

Just watch Bunty to see if she lays eggs or begins to crow.

Buff Orpingtons are notorious for slowly developing males which can fool you. So Bunty's "droopy" feathers could be sickles and saddles forming, or simply she is more of a true Orpington style.

Orpingtons should have more of a droop to their tail feathers like a mop rather than the perky true tail.

See these photos on the feathersite to see what I mean:

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Orps/BRKOrps.html

 

[J.D]

Thanks, that's really helpful (and it's eased my worrying!)

It's the first time I've had buffs so it's all new to me, before this I've only had warren hens from the farmer shop so I'm sort of learning as I go with the newbies.

They're much gentler than the rest of my flock haha, they're definitely characters though!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Buff Orps can be very, very sweet. They also tend to be broody, which makes them, uhem, hormonal at times, and very good mothers.

I know your left bird is a pullet, hopefully the right is as well.
LofMc