Girl or boy? 12 week BO

[Duck_life]

saddle feathers are grown in AT 12 weeks i see none

They also aren't clear photos. You'd be surprised my cockerel didn't get saddle feathers till he was 6 months.

 

[2 many chickens]

That looks like a full grown mature hen.. not a 12 week old chicken. I'm really baffled by this?

 

[2 many chickens]

If this is correct and it is 12 weeks, it'll be the size of a dog by Valentine's Day.

 

[Skippersnh]

i was just gonna say it looks older than 12 weeks

 

[featheredplanets]

saddle feathers are grown in AT 12 weeks i see none

That may be true for a few breeds but for large breeds and slow maturers like Orpingtons pointed saddle feathers can take months to grow in. If all cockerels grew in a full set of pointed saddle feathers by 12 weeks, sexing slow maturing breeds would be much easier. Also, how would you explain that much comb and redness on a 4 week old pullet?

 

[Skippersnh]

hen with a large comb that how i explain it
my rir hens had combs that big at 4 weeks
i could be completly wrong but ive raised 20 roosters and that looks like a hen lol

 

[Skippersnh]

i did have 1 rooster trick me until 4 months old one time he looked like a hen and acted like a hen so it can happen

 

[featheredplanets]

When exactly did you buy the Buff Orpington? I Googled Labor Day 2019 and it says 1st May which would put the bird in question at 25+ weeks old. Which would mean she is a ready to lay pullet.

 

[featheredplanets]

hen with a large comb that how i explain it

Not even Leghorns are red at 4 weeks old. But I am questioning the age of the Orpington, 12 weeks old but bought in May?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Cockeral.