Lavender Orp... pullet or roo?

[Cryss]

Lavender orp roos are gorgeous.
Not to blast pics but here's my 14 month old roo.
View attachment 1827960

Gorgeous!
Ok, I gotta brag too.
Here's Roopecca. He's about a week away from 21 months old but picture was a few months back.

 

[2 many chickens]

Gorgeous!
Ok, I gotta brag too.
Here's Roopecca. He's about a week away from 21 months old but picture was a few months back.
View attachment 1827993

Thank you! He's a big fat stinker, I call him fat man.

Your boy is so beautiful! Look at him standing there all big and proud, he knows he's handsome! Love it!

 

[aart]

Does anyone think it’s too soon to tell?

With that much color at 7 weeks, I would be shocked if that turns out to be a female.

But there are plenty here that can help. Let's start by asking @aart .

Eh, I'm no expert and keep only one male around to make more chicks, my birds are for food, not pets, so all extras males hatched get eaten.

My take on handling males is, don't handle them... from the minute you know they are male....or only off the roost at night for exams, using a soothing voice, so they will learn that 'if you touch them they won't die'.

Handle the females more frequently, again so they all learn the 'you won't die' lesson.
A calm male bird has more to do with the human keepers behaviors than the breed or individual bird.
No cuddling, you want them to be a tiny bit 'afraid' of you.
Be calm, cool, and confident. Walk around the coop and run frequently always making him get out of your way.

If you're brand new to chickens, having a female only flock might be a good idea, especially if there are little kids around. If you do keep a male, have a separate enclosure or crate ready in case things go bad, if it happens it can happen fast. When he hits about 4 months old and his hormones bloom is when the real challenge will begin.

This is probably the best explanation of cockerel behavior I've read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-causing-trouble.939630/#post-14406557

 

[RoosterML]

Definitely a Cockerel. Hatched some Lav Orps this spring and will be processing the cockerels this weekend.
Here is a Pullet and roo side by side to see the difference:

Last call for anyone in CT who wants one!!!

 

[Cryss]

Eh, I'm no expert

You know more than me and you'd know who to tag for information. I'm terrible with names.
Nice link! Good read.

 

[HamletAndEggs]

Lol...nope. I'm definitely the wrong person to ask that! My rooster is gorgeous but he lives in a bachelor pad because he attacked me too many times. I failed Rooster 101. Only been raising chickens for a year and a half. But there are plenty here that can help. Let's start by asking @aart .

Thanks!!

With that much color at 7 weeks, I would be shocked if that turns out to be a female.

Eh, I'm no expert and keep only one male around to make more chicks, my birds are for food, not pets, so all extras males hatched get eaten.

My take on handling males is, don't handle them... from the minute you know they are male....or only off the roost at night for exams, using a soothing voice, so they will learn that 'if you touch them they won't die'.

Handle the females more frequently, again so they all learn the 'you won't die' lesson.
A calm male bird has more to do with the human keepers behaviors than the breed or individual bird.
No cuddling, you want them to be a tiny bit 'afraid' of you.
Be calm, cool, and confident. Walk around the coop and run frequently always making him get out of your way.

If you're brand new to chickens, having a female only flock might be a good idea, especially if there are little kids around. If you do keep a male, have a separate enclosure or crate ready in case things go bad, if it happens it can happen fast. When he hits about 4 months old and his hormones bloom is when the real challenge will begin.

This is probably the best explanation of cockerel behavior I've read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-causing-trouble.939630/#post-14406557

Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful answer! Much appreciated! Today’s picture solidifies suspicions

 

[aart]

Today’s picture solidifies suspicions

Chuckles......yeah, that would do it.
It's a great pic!

 

[HamletAndEggs]

Lavender orp roos are gorgeous.
Not to blast pics but here's my 14 month old roo.
View attachment 1827960

He is BEAUTIFUL!! How’s his temperament? Any tips on raiding a well-behaved boy?

 

[Cryss]

Thanks!!

Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful answer! Much appreciated! Today’s picture solidifies suspicions View attachment 1828652

Oh my doooonessss! Crowing!!

 

[HamletAndEggs]

This was your better picture . Yup, cockerel. See that spikey tail? An orpington pullet tail is smooth, like a fan. Here's mine about a year ago.
View attachment 1827253 View attachment 1827254

And then today “he” did this a dozen times or so... HA! No sound... just trying!