Raising Buff Orphington chicks ...are they supposed to be this active?

[CreeksideChik]

Hi! So I've had my small flock for several years & have raised mainly Black Australorps. My BAs have always been super docile, from the time they were chicks. This year, I tried adding three sexed pullets, and 2 out of 3 turned out to be Roos at eight weeks of age! We did have the feed store we bought them from take them all back (really ...2 out of 3! And I was supposed to integrate a lone hen into my flock!?!?). There were no BAs when the first group was returned, so I got 3 Buff Orphington "pullets". Right away, all 3 seemed much much more active than the BAs...lots of running around and pecking/scratching at the ground. Around 2 weeks if age, they all started "chest bumping" a little and pecking some to work out their pecking order. It seems pretty well settled now, but one bird is pretty dominant over the other 2. It just seems "in charge ". They are just turning 4 weeks old, and it is slightly bigger than the other 2, and has some more feathering. Comb may be a teeney bit bigger, but not reddish. There is no sign of waddles yet. All three have little fluffy tails for now. Am I just being overly paranoid that I could have another rooster? Or does anyone with Buff Orphington experience know if the chicks are usually super active? The slightly larger chick does NOT run at my hand or anything ....I'm just terrified after just having 2 roos. No way can I keep one. I know I'm used to very quiet BA chicks....are Buffs just more active? Thanks!

 

[Judy]

Orps tend to be docile and friendly, at least as adults. But they all have their own personalities. You can't do anything but guess sex at this age, really.

You could try putting some pics in our What Breed or Gender is This? forum, here, or just look for threads on Orps there.

 

[Ebal]

I got 16 chicks 7 weeks ago. 4 varities -

4 BA's
4 BO's
4 RIR
4 Americanas

The BO's were 1 week + and the rest 3-5 days when I got them.

BO's are defianately the most active of the other 3. and I notices the BA's are probably the least active of the 4. I I just say active.... Really wouldnt call any of them aggressive. I got "all hens" but waiting to find out. Have noticed that my americanas - 2 are lighter brown and tan --- 2 are brown and reddish.... Not sure why this is??

 

[CreeksideChik]

Thanks! I did post some pics in the thread you suggested ...please take a look if you have a chance. I'd love to hear guesses, even if it might be a little early to speculate at 4 weeks of age...

 

[Island Chick]

Mine are SUPER active! Brooded them in an extra large dog crate and when I let them out onto a rug to run around they would come out zooming, flying around and chest bumping. At 10 weeks old they still do it when I let them out of the coop. One of my BO is the friendliest bird though. She chirps to me when I go outside and runs to my feet. As soon as I kneel down she hops on my knee and snuggles up under my arm so I can basically squish her like a stuffed animal. My other BO will jump on my knee but no snuggling allowed.

At 4 weeks it was pretty obvious who my roosters were. I did notice that around 1-2 weeks all my girls had long wings with three "layers" of feathers while the boys were stubby and had a big layer then one tiny "finger" layer sticking out from under it. Kept track of who was who and it was totally accurate on my 10 straight run chicks.