Roo or One Bad Mama Jamma?

[bockchickas]

I have some Imported English Orpington Chicks and there is one partridge that is much larger than the others. Does not act flighty, does not stretch it's neck up, but has thick ankles and a huge breast. It's just a massive chick. The comb is not really bigger than the others, but is turning red, and has small waddles developing. It was first to feather out though, and has developed a nice cushion already too, so I'm completely baffled. 4 weeks old. Anyone able to sex this one?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

It's too young to tell, post pictures in a couple more weeks and we should be able to tell.

 

[drumstick diva]

too young but, so round and fully packed - are you sure it isn't a meat bird?

 

[RhodeRunner]

You will need to wait a bit longer to be sure. But, the coloring definitely looks like a partridge female, and rapid feathering is usually the sign of a hen... roosters get rather blotchy and grow a bit more awkwardly. Her body type and feathering doesn't strike me as odd for and Orpington. I raised a few Blue English this summer, and they are huge and compact babies.

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm leaning toward pullet.

 

[donrae]

Are those feathers on the legs? If so, you've got a mixed breed bird, Orps are clean legged...

as to gender, I'm torn. I do see the comb you're speaking of, but cockerels of this color should feather out solid black on the breast. This bird looks to have a mix of black and brown?

I'd love to see pics again in 3-4 weeks, to see how things turn out!

 

[bockchickas]

Thanks for all of the input so far. Based on the comments, I think she will be a hen, but will let you know! I just can't stand the wait. Haha. Had to find out the sex of my own kids too The chicks are from the best English lines here in the US, so definitely not a mixed (on purpose) breed. The leg feathering will hopefully fall out as she ages. That is one thing they are still dealing with probably from some cochin blood in there somewhere they say. Orps are a dual breed, so yes could be used for meat, but I wouldn't. They are so magnificent. I have a leghorn pullet who I could have sworn was a roo b/c of the reddening comb and waddles, but then it switched back to more of a yellow and def. a pullet...So that's what I hope this one is doing. Thanks again everyone!