Orpington Roosters or Hens?

[Cherlyn]

I have a trio of orpingtons that run together. Two are buffs, and one is a buff-lav mix (whatever that is). The two larger ones are about ten weeks old, I think, and the other one is about 7 weeks old (I think). They are constantly running at each other, getting in each others' faces while fluffing out their feathers.

Thoughts?

~Cherlyn

 

[gumpsgirl]

You have a bunch of little cockerels there.

With wattles and combs being red and showing / growing at that age, they are most definitely cockerels. Pullets don't start showing any wattles or combs until they are much closer to the point of lay, around 15 to 18 wks.

 

[bufforp89]

It looks like the first one could be a female to me, but I am by no means an expert.

 

[Cherlyn]

Quote:
I was so afraid of that. Any way they could just be blushing ladies?

~Cherlyn

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
I thought the same thing when I first glanced at that one, but if you look closer you will see quite the set of wattles growing on that chick. That is most definitely a little cockerel.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
I was so afraid of that. Any way they could just be blushing ladies?

~Cherlyn

I wish I could tell you that they were just blushing ladies. Sorry.

 

[Cherlyn]

Quote:
I was so afraid of that. Any way they could just be blushing ladies?

~Cherlyn

I wish I could tell you that they were just blushing ladies. Sorry.

S'ok. Just posted an ad - I cannot have cockerels!

~Cherlyn

 

[gumpsgirl]

I'm so sorry.

 

[Cherlyn]

Quote:
S'ok - this gives me an excuse to incubate some more.

Will wait until the spring - maybe!

~Cherlyn

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
S'ok - this gives me an excuse to incubate some more.

Will wait until the spring - maybe!

~Cherlyn

I'd wait a couple of months to be sure, especially on two of them. I strongly suspect the one with the dark head as being a rooster, but the other two might turn out to be hens. Keep 'em a while.