Lavender Orpington pullet, 16 weeks, I think she's a he...advice needed!

[Chickfolk]

Group -

I've been scouring threads for weeks to find something which will give me hope that our beloved Lavender Orpington pullet is indeed a pullet. I need help to either provide relief or end my ongoing denial. We cannot have a rooster in our neighborhood, and I have a country-friend lined up to take him if he's not a she.

Some background. I bought this lavender orpington as a pullet at a local farm store. S/he was hatched close to April 22nd, so it is about 16 weeks old. This one is named "Peep" because it was the loudest in the set of 11 pullets we bought as a group. S/he is my only orpington, so I don't have a good control group to compare it to.

It was the first to develop it's comb/wattle. It is friendly to our kids, but by far the most aggressive with the flock. It has grown increasingly aggressive - often holding other chickens by their combs, but I can't tell if that is pecking order issues or whether the (potential) dude is reinforcing some patriarchy. Still, we love him/her and have avoided dealing with the gender issue.

I'd appreciate input from those of you more in the know on these issues. Thanks in advance!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Cockerel.

 

[annageckos]

Cockerel

 

[Alexandra33]

Handsome cockerel.

~Alex

 

[Chickfolk]

Cockerel.
View attachment 1497237

Thank you for the feedback. Since its feathers aren't clearly defined, I've convinced myself that maybe they ARE rounded...but as I said in my post, I am in denial. Confidence level?

 

[Chickfolk]

Cockerel

I appreciate the feedback. Confidence level?

 

[Chickfolk]

Handsome cockerel.

~Alex

If only the "handsome cockerel" could be a "beautiful hen" and stay with us!

 

[KikiLeigh02]

That is 100% a cockerel. I'm sorry.

 

[Alexandra33]

If only the "handsome cockerel" could be a "beautiful hen" and stay with us!

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It's never easy.

~Alex

 

[Chickfolk]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It's never easy.

~Alex

It's okay - we've been preparing the kids for a few weeks as the likely outcome became more apparent. I acquired three similarly-aged Australorps from a friend to help ease the pain (and because I have a chicken problem...I was only supposed to pick up one...). I suppose it's good for the kids to learn that men are an inevitable part of life .