One, Two, or Three Roos? 3-month Blue Orps

[kmeverson]

Hi all,
First time raising backyard chickens. I was hoping for 4 pullets, but now I'm afraid I have 3 roos! They're (supposed to be) blue orpingtons who just turned 3 months old.

One of them (in a single-chicken photo with large comb and an upright tail) is almost definitely a roo -- he's always guarding the others and acting generally more aggressive, and we've heard him make little crowing sounds.

One of the others (alone in another photo, bent over on top of the coop ramp) is almost definitely a pullet. She has the a very small, light colored comb, and none of her behaviors or saddle feathers or anything else point to roo.

However, we can't decide if the two others (shown together in the last photo) are roosters too? Both of them have a mix of pullet and roo features! Medium-sized/medium-colored combs and wattles. The one in front has a bigger wattle on one side but almost no wattle on the other.

We've noticed that two of them (the rooster and the unsexed chicken in the front of the photo) have more of a speckled/barred coloration on their neck and saddle feathers, while the other two are more uniformly gray. Is this an indication of sex?

We've also noticed that the roo holds his tail upright and his tail feathers seem a little more curved and short. Is this an indicator?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see all boys. Not blue Orpingtons as yours have yellow legs and some barring. They look mixed breed to me.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

3 saphire gem cockerels

 

[chrissynemetz]

Can you get a better picture of the one on the ramp? I believe the others are all cockerels.
And I agree, I don't think they're Orpingtons. They're very pretty though whatever they are!

 

[JadeFarms]

The way you describe them sounds like Roos. The barring means it’s most likely mixed. Maybe with barred Plymouth Rock, or Dominique. But no sure way to tell.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

where did you get them?? I agree the one on the ramp needs a better pic, and I also agree with @crazy4ChickensNducks that the three obvious cockerels, with the light barring, are sapphire gem cockerels.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

First two look like cockerels. The 3rd one might need a better picture, but I'll say roo for now.

 

[kmeverson]

Well, sounds like the consensus is three roos -- and that they're definitely not blue orps! I got them as week-old chicks from a kid in central Kentucky. Oh well! I was happy to support the kid and they've been fun to raise so far, anyway

As requested, here is a close-up shot of the one I think is a pullet, standing to the left of one of the roos. Think this one is a roo too?

I've also added a headshot of the chicken in the back of the previous photo, because the last poster said a better pic might be needed. You can see the comb is a little bit lighter pink, but still pretty big. My guess now is still roo.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I say pullet!

 

[cstephens1987]

Fourth looks like a pullet