Gender check lavender Orpington

[wyochick10]

It’s called the tail shredder gene. I think. Mine have it too. Lila Jean, Bluebell and yes I have a Violet too!

 

[drumstick diva]

Can the shredder gene be bred out or do most lavender orps have, or carry it?

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[Elitefarm]

Here are some updated pictures, she is almost 12 weeks old now and I got close ups of feathers to hopefully solve it once and for all, the only real thing that concerns me about "her" is she steps in the other chicks and I've only seen that in roosters, other then that I would completely think pullet, any other angles that could be helpful? Tail feathers look a little pointy but I think that might be the shredded Gene?

 

[Alexandra33]

View attachment 1644848 View attachment 1644849 View attachment 1644850 Here are some updated pictures, she is almost 12 weeks old now and I got close ups of feathers to hopefully solve it once and for all, the only real thing that concerns me about "her" is she steps in the other chicks and I've only seen that in roosters, other then that I would completely think pullet, any other angles that could be helpful? Tail feathers look a little pointy but I think that might be the shredded Gene?

Still thinking slow-maturing cockerel on this one....that's quite a bit of comb/wattle for only 12 weeks of age. Certainly hoping I'm incorrect.

~Alex

 

[IamRainey]

Violet, I love that! I’m sure she’s not the only Lavender Orpington with that name, but still - so cute! She’s got to be a sweetie!

No, she's not. My LO is Violet too.

And I wouldn't call her tail feathers "frayed". They look almost like a Frizzle. ...but only around her tail.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I'm with @Alexandra33, I would guess slow maturing cockerel. The leg size, comb & wattle development, and lack of a tail make me think cockerel.

Can the shredder gene be bred out or do most lavender orps have, or carry it?

My understanding is that you have to keep breeding back to Black Orps to fix the feather quality.

 

[Mosey2003]

It's hard for me to tell if it's a lightly boned cockerel or a heavily boned pullet, but I'm learning towards cockerel too. That's just too much comb and wattle size and color for a pullet that should be slow maturing.

The tail feathers likely look the worst because they rub on things like wood and cage wire, etc. So they get more damage then the rest. The bird will look good right after a molt and then start looking more and more ragged as time goes on until the next molt.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My lavender Orpington have frayed feathers. It doesn't go away. Her sister didn't. So it's an either you have it or don't situation.

Lavender Orpington pullets seem to develop a bigger pink comb earlier than other Orpington varieties. One of mine I swore was a rooster and it had more comb than yours does. So I think yours is a pullet.

 

[Elitefarm]

I'm holding out hope is it just her tail that looks shredded? Has anyone had a hen that steps on the others? Is it just a dominance thing? She doesn't seem to be the leader of the chick flock and my rooster doesn't bully her but he doesn't try to mount her either, maybe just the age? Or the fact he already has 9 grown ladies