help! female or male?

[SimonSA]

Rather than starting a new thread thought I would just ask here:

First time owning orpingtons and we have two broody hens and suspect that he/she might be a male. The comb has me stumped though!

 

[pasuit]

Looks like male. Can't see the neck very well.

 

[pasuit]

Rather than starting a new thread thought I would just ask here:

First time owning orpingtons and we have two broody hens and suspect that he/she might be a male. The comb has me stumped though!

 

[pasuit]

How old?

 

[SimonSA]

Roughly 6 and 1/2 to 7 months I think!

 

[SimonSA]

Looks like male. Can't see the neck very well.

What is there to look out for in the neck?

 

[chicken4prez]

What is there to look out for in the neck?

Long, pointy feathers. (Usually they have lots of colours. Depends on the breed.)

 

[chicken4prez]

I'm almost positive it's a female though.

 

[SimonSA]

I'm almost positive it's a female though.

Shouldn't she be laying by now then? We have Bantams that are the same age who have been laying for a month already. Not sure if Orpies are different?

 

[chicken4prez]

Shouldn't she be laying by now then? We have Bantams that are the same age who have been laying for a month already. Not sure if Orpies are different?

Orpingtons start laying at 24 weeks (Pretty much 6 months). I have never had this breed before but the laying time always depends on the hen.

She could still wait another month or start laying in two days. Has she been making the egg song or any other laying behaviour?