I am thinking I have a male!

[nathansl2003]

At the end of July my 8 day-old Buff Orphington Chicks arrived, they have been happy ever since and were delivered in great health from Meyer Hatchery as female only. They were all female (supposedly).

Over time I noticed one that always was bigger and kind of attached to me and always wanted belly rubs and to hop up on my lap. Over the last 2 weeks I have started noting some behavior that may/may not indicate I have a male instead of a female. This is the only one I have named so far and is called Hera.

1). It is a lot bigger than any other Buff.
2). It seems to dominate all the other chickens, not in any mean way, but when I come into the pen Hera will beeline and no other chicken will even attempt to get in her way.

3. Her comb and waffles are dark red and are developing much faster than any others, I have attached a pic of Hera and a pick of another one. She is the only one with developing comb and waffles.

So I am, of course, no expert on this and I know that Buffs are pretty hard to sext, but it just seems like Hera is much different than all the others in pecking order and in development and they were all day-old chicks. Today they are 9 weeks old, with their "birthday" starting on the day I got them.



Thanks!

 

[keesmom]

That much comb color at 9 weeks indicates cockerel.

 

[nathansl2003]

That is what I thought keesmom, just wanted to get some other opinions. The hatchery will refund him for me, but I am not sure I can keep him and he is my favorite one.

 

[newchickenmom33]

My Orpington Buff pullet did develop any comb really until around 12-13 weeks and she stayed very pale pink until around 17 weeks when she finally decided to lay. Good luck!

 

[KikiLeigh02]

He does look like a cockerel. I'm so sorry! Hopefully there won't be anything that prevents you from keeping him if you decide to.

 

[feathermaid]

I've heard so many stories where the "favorite" ends up being a cockerel... you're not alone! If your city doesn't have laws against roosters, and your neighbors don't object, it's possible he may end up being a useful flock member/leader/protector. It's also possible his demeanor changes as he grows and you'll be glad to get rid of him. You never know.

Here's an entertaining article:
Keeping A Rooster

 

[nathansl2003]

It depends on how noisy he is. I am renting right now and the landlord does not want any roosters that crow loudly and the town has a noise ordinance, especially at 6:00 am lol. I have a friend who has a farm, if I need to get rid of him then I will probably take him over there or some other option.

I have heard about sweet cockerel's that turn not so sweet so I will wait and see, that was a great article, thanks FlappyFeathers.

 

[dalasgalas]

My buff orpington roo was a fantastic flock leader and great provider.

Unfortunately he was a sociopathic murdering Roo when it came to anything not hen.