Orp chick

[gunslinger33]

This is my chick at what i am assuming is around 10 weeks. I am having some trouble with sex based off of the factors from my other Orps

• feathering. This chick feather out very similarly to my other Orp pullets. It was not slow feathering as my Orp cockerel was
• Tail feathers. This chick does not have the "sprigs" of tail feathers like my other Orp cockerel had.
• Comb and waddles. Based off my other's development this chick's waddles are much less pronounced. Actually between my CCO's pullet and cockerel development
• Dominant behavior. This chick is current #2 of 6 in the pecking order. I have a Dark Brahma pullet about 1 week younger and smaller that is #1.
• Leg thickness relative to body size. My CCO cockerel had stumps for legs compared to body size at this age.

I understand each individual and specific lines will develop at different rates but maybe I am too optimistic.

sorry I am not able to rotate

 

[Lisa G.]

so beautiful! would love to see pics as she gets older

 

[gunslinger33]

If my chick is an ICO should I or would I see some gold coming through if it is a cockerel?

 

[ColtHandorf]

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure she is a she and gorgeous. Perhaps @Faraday40 can chime in and say whether it's a cockerel or pullet.

 

[gunslinger33]

I do appreciate all of the kind comments. I would hate to lose her if she is a he but I can’t have a third boy. All of my comparisons say she is a she.

@The Moonshiner might be able to help a fellow “Show me State” guy.

 

[Faraday40]

I'll go against the grain & guess male. The imported English orps have much smaller combs. The face looks pretty red for only 10 weeks and the head is slightly rounded. It could be a slow maturing male. In my orps, feather growth doesn't mean much. It's all about the headgear. Of course each line is different.

It's definitely a tricky chick, so it's always best to wait & see. I could easily be wrong, because the legs & feet do not look very large to me. (Most males have larger feet & thicker legs) I've had a few females with large wattles at only 4 weeks, so I'm not very confident about my gender prediction for your orp.

One thing to check is the feathers between the wings. Part the feathers & look for those saddle feathers coming in. They start to grow along the mid back in between the wings. You'll find some feather shafts. Keep checking 1-2 xs per week until you can identify pointed or rounded tips. You probably won't see the hackle & saddle feathers grow out for a few more weeks, that's why you have to look for them below the level of the feathers.

 

[gunslinger33]

Faraday40. I do hope it’s a she and not a he. If it’s a he I guess I’ll get another. Brahma (in black)

I think it’s the lav color making identification so hard. From memory she does have all of her feathers. My CCO roo did have slow growth between feathers but this one was very evenly feathered.

 

[gunslinger33]

This is the feathering in my CCO roo at 8-9 weeks

 

[gunslinger33]

Sorry hit send before pic loaded

 

[gunslinger33]

Does this help