Sexing Buff Orpingtons.... help please!

[wjallen05]

We have 7 straight run Buff Orpington chicks. They are around 4 weeks old now. I have noticed that only one of them has big poofy tail feathers, while the other 6 do not. Is this because it is one male and the rest are pullets? Or is this just a coincidence?
We also have 3 straight run Amaraucanas. All three have large tail feathers as well, and are more aggressive. Are they all males? Or is it too soon to tell?
TIA

 

[Katy]

If you can post pictures it helps.

 

[Redfeathers]

I can usually only tell by comb growth, by four weeks you can usually see a little bit of growth and a tiny bit of pink or red. Mine had small wattles by then too. I knew at four weeks that two of my five orp chicks were boys. Good luck!!

 

[farm_mom]

I agree with redfeathers, you'll notice more of a comb and wattles on a male buff. My male buffs started crowing at 5 weeks, so that may help you figure it out, too. I've also noticed my Americana/EE's are more aggressive in general than other breeds I've raised, so I don't think that necessarily means they're male, just fiesty.

 

[Carolina Chicken Man]

I've got 10 buff orp chicks that are six weeks old, that were bought as sexed hens.

You could tell at 4 weeks that one was a rooster, he had a pronounce red comb and waddles.

Seem him hiding in the left corner. I guess 90% is pretty good on sexing.

I'll get another picture this afternoon, it is even more obvious now.

 

[wjallen05]

Thanks!! All of mine pretty much look the same... they are either all males or all females.
(please, God, not all males...)

Here is a pic of one, it had the largest comb, but really they all look about like that. Doesn't seem red to me? I guess it's hard to compare when they all look the same.

 

[Redfeathers]

If that is a pic at four weeks, it's a girl. IMHO

 

[wjallen05]

Oh gosh I hope so!!! Cause all 7 of them look just like that, only the other 6 have slightly smaller combs.

I was hoping for atleast one boy... but 7 girls is deffinetly better than 7 boys!

I hope you're right!

(oh and they are more like 3 1/2 weeks, going on 4...)

 

[pred]

I believe you may have 1 pullet and the rest cockerels. I bought 25 pullets and received an "extra" who I believe is a rooster. He is smaller (at 3 weeks) and his wings and tail feathers are much shorter. I read that at about 4 weeks,his comb will start to be more prominent. Mine are now 3 weeks with the combs about the same. Are the wings significantly longer on the one?

 

[La_TomboyGirl]