New member...so many questions!

[cassimcclurg]

Hello, I am new to raising chickens and am already enjoying it so much! I have been doing a lot of reading on this site and am trying to find answers that way but have gotten myself confused and a little overwhelmed. I have some breed/gender questions that I'm hoping to get some help with. I have 8 straight run chickens that are supposedly about 11 weeks old now. I'll try to post pictures of each below with the questions that I have below each picture/set of pictures.


I know this is a rooster, he started crowing a couple weeks ago. I was told that it was an Ameracauna but, from the reading I've done, it doesn't look like that to me. Thoughts on breed?



This black one I do believe is an Ameracauna (but could be wrong about that). Thoughts on gender?



Lavender Orpington and hopefully a pullet! This one's our smallest and sweetest. Any disagreements about breed or gender?


Our other Lavender Orpington - obviously bigger and more comb/waddle/tail feather development. I'm leaning toward roo on this one. Thoughts?


Was told this was a Lemon Orpington - seems more Buff to me but not sure if there's really much of a difference between the two? I'm thinking this one is a female. Agree?




The other "Lemon" Orpington (the lower one in the foreground of the top picture) - this one looks even more "Buff" to me. I'm leaning toward Roo on this one. Thoughts?




This one I had the hardest time getting a good picture of tonight. I'm told this is a Blue Orpington and I'm leaning toward this one being a girl. Thoughts?



And, rounding out the current flock - Blue Orpington and this one made an effort at crowing yesterday (they sound so funny when they first try!) so I already know he's a Roo.


Thanks for any thoughts and input anyone is able to provide. Since I'm so new to this and have overwhelmed myself with so much information, I appreciate experienced feedback!

Cassi

 

[QueenMisha]

1. Definitely a roo, yes, and definitely not an Amerauacana. Possibly a gamefowl cross.

2. This one is an Ameraucana, and he is a roo.

3. Lavender Orp #1 does look like a girl, very pretty.

4. Lavender Orp #2 is a cockerel.

5. I don't know a lot about Lemon, but as far as I am aware it is similar to Buff, but lighter, so yes I'd say she's a Lemon Orpington pullet.

6. Looks Lemon too, and a probable cockerel.

7. Looks like a Blue Orp, leaning towards girl even if the comb's a bit big.

8. Amerauacana roo - not that I can tell he's a boy, I'm just going off your diagnosis. Ameraucanas are notoriously difficult to sex.

 

[cassimcclurg]

1. Definitely a roo, yes, and definitely not an Amerauacana. Possibly a gamefowl cross.

2. This one is an Ameraucana, and he is a roo.

3. Lavender Orp #1 does look like a girl, very pretty.

4. Lavender Orp #2 is a cockerel.

5. I don't know a lot about Lemon, but as far as I am aware it is similar to Buff, but lighter, so yes I'd say she's a Lemon Orpington pullet.

6. Looks Lemon too, and a probable cockerel.

7. Looks like a Blue Orp, leaning towards girl even if the comb's a bit big.

8. Amerauacana roo - not that I can tell he's a boy, I'm just going off your diagnosis. Ameraucanas are notoriously difficult to sex.

Shoot - so five out of eight are Roos? Ugh! And no Ameracauna hens. Bummer!

 

[cassimcclurg]

You definitely think #2 is a roo and #8 is an Ameracauna, not a Blue Orp?

Any others in agreement/disagreement with the conclusions here?

We're culling #1 and #8 tonight and wonder if we should go ahead with any others for sure, before they even crow.

Thanks again!

Cassi

 

[QueenMisha]

You definitely think #2 is a roo and #8 is an Ameracauna, not a Blue Orp?

Any others in agreement/disagreement with the conclusions here?

We're culling #1 and #8 tonight and wonder if we should go ahead with any others for sure, before they even crow.

Thanks again!

Cassi

#2 is definitely a roo. Curved tail, big pea comb, sharp golden showing in the saddle.

#8 looks like an Ameraucana from this angle. I'm seeing what looks like muff/beard and a pea comb, and the body is closer to Ameraucana than Orpington, but a picture from the front would clarify.

 

[cassimcclurg]

#2 is definitely a roo. Curved tail, big pea comb, sharp golden showing in the saddle.

#8 looks like an Ameraucana from this angle. I'm seeing what looks like muff/beard and a pea comb, and the body is closer to Ameraucana than Orpington, but a picture from the front would clarify.

Thanks! I took a closer look at #8 today and definitely saw the Ameracauna, especially as I compared him to #7.

 

[K Spot]

Mixed breed cockerel



Cockerel, Easter Egger

Easter Egger cockerel



Lav Orp pullet


Lav Orp cockerel


Buff Orp pullet




Buff Orp cockerel




Blue Orp, looks cockerel to me. How old?



Cockerel, could be Ameraucana.

You have a lot of boys in there.

 

[cassimcclurg]

You have a lot of boys in there.

I know - bad luck with my first flock! I went with straight run from a poultry farm near me. Won't be doing that again! I just ordered four new female chicks from Meyer Hatchery and culled the first of the boys tonight.

 

[cassimcclurg]

Quote: About 11 weeks. Was really hoping this one was a girl!

 

[K Spot]

Hold out on the blue orp for now.