Purchased as Orpingtons (black x 2; 1 blue) 14 weeks old

[LorraineF]

Help pls. I have 2 adult polish roosters already with a small flock of 6 adult hens (I know this isn't ideal; they get along pretty well and I'm trying to add more). I bought 5 baby chicks due to hatching a single polish (who promptly passed the day after I acquired the 5 ). They were sold to me as Orpingtons from a local breeder. Not worried about the breed as much as gender. I have heard Orps are very hard to sex, so I am hoping I have at least one hen, but
Black Orpington #1 pics 1&2.
Blue Orpington pics 3 & 4
Black Orpington #2 pics 5 (looks grey because of flash inside garage) & 6 &7
Someone(s) crowing, and I can't keep any more roosters. What's the verdict?
Thanks for any all help/suggestions.

 

[nuthatched]

All are cockerels and the "breeder" knew it. Sorry.

 

[LorraineF]

All are cockerels and the "breeder" knew it. Sorry.

Awww, nuts, Nuthatched!

They were a week old when I got them. So I don't think she did; just bad luck. I've never raised chicks before only had chickens that were off heat minimum, most at least a couple of months old. I'd heard that Orpingtons were hard to sex, but they were looking very roo-ish, so I came here. Hopefully, I can find them homes.

 

[JedJackson]

Yes, I agree with nuthatched. I would contact the so called breeder immediately, and arrange to swap them for your money back. If the breeder refuses, you may have to consider taking other actions.

 

[nuthatched]

Awww, nuts, Nuthatched!

They were a week old when I got them. So I don't think she did; just bad luck. I've never raised chicks before only had chickens that were off heat minimum, most at least a couple of months old. I'd heard that Orpingtons were hard to sex, but they were looking very roo-ish, so I came here. Hopefully, I can find them homes.

Ah, ok. It though you just purchased them.
Any birds that get big, pink combs and wattles before 8 weeks is a male. Females don't get like that until 15-20 weeks

 

[EmSi]

If they where only a week old when you got them, there is no way for the breeder to know the gender. Therefore you can not claim a swap or your money back. I'm sorry but getting that chicks that young it will be a gamble.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

If they where only a week old when you got them, there is no way for the breeder to know the gender. Therefore you can not claim a swap or your money back. I'm sorry but getting that chicks that young it will be a gamble.

Many breeders/ hatchers do offer refunds for males, although they often don’t take them back due to biosecurity practices.

 

[EmSi]

Many breeders/ hatchers do offer refunds for males, although they often don’t take them back due to biosecurity practices.

Yes, I actually just did a swap today. I sold two birds that I was almost sure were pullets. But nope. I only offer to do a swap/refund in cases where I'm selling birds older than 8 weeks. Otherwise I literally wouldn't have any chickens left, if I had to refund or do a swap, for every day old chick I sell, that turns out to be a roo.

What I'm trying to say is. You can always ask the breeder, but you can't expect and take for granted that you'll get a refund/swap.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

Our breeder offered to take our cockerels back and swap, but I did get them at 8 weeks..I ended up bringing them back to our house after a couple of weeks because I missed them, and she wasn't able to sell them! She is very easy to work with though, and I could see why a lot of sellers trying to earn a dollar would not want to do so for a fair reason. At 1 week you could ask, but I wouldn't expect much! I'd chalk it as a learning experience!

 

[LorraineF]

If they where only a week old when you got them, there is no way for the breeder to know the gender. Therefore you can not claim a swap or your money back. I'm sorry but getting that chicks that young it will be a gamble.

I will try to rehome them. At the time, I had a day-old polish chick I was trying to find friends for. Because of that, I wasn't really worried about the gender. My bad luck, all all of the Orpingtons ended up being boys.