Sexing Buff Orpington's

[photohutch13]

At this point pretty much any with bright red combs are cockerels. I can see at least 5 cockerels per picture. I can also make out shiny pointed saddle feathers on some of the boys, another indicator of males. Pullets should still have small pale pink combs at this age.

That's what I had thought but then see photos of pullets with the large red combs. I guess after time they change to that though. Thanks so much!

 

[TheOddOneOut]

That's what I had thought but then see photos of pullets with the large red combs. I guess after time they change to that though. Thanks so much!

You have to know that they are the same age before you compare. POL buffs will look like this.

 

[photohutch13]

A picture of each bird would help. I have circled the cockerels in your photos though.
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I agree but they didn't want to hold still long enough for me to do that! They love watching my heelers run around the enclosure so are constantly on the move.

 

[Araucana Nest]

That's what I had thought but then see photos of pullets with the large red combs. I guess after time they change to that though. Thanks so much!

When they start laying the combs for the pullets will get redder. In fact you can tell they start laying because the comb is as red as the cockerels' at that point. Then as they mature they will start to be longer but by that time your rooster's comb and wattles will be much larger too.

 

[photohutch13]

That's a lot of boys! My Buff Orpingtons are about 5 months old, I wasn't sure about the genders until reading this thread. Beautiful flock you have.

I'm actually happy about more cockerels than pullets as we want several laying hens and the rest for meat. Aren't the buffs beautiful and sweet?!

 

[The Happster]

Aren't the buffs beautiful and sweet?!

Can you say that again for the benefit of @Overo Mare and @TheOddOneOut? I will be forever grateful.

 

[The Happster]

the rest for meat

*sharp intake of breath*

 

[Painted Calls]

I'm actually happy about more cockerels than pullets as we want several laying hens and the rest for meat. Aren't the buffs beautiful and sweet?!

Hope you have a nice big chest freezer. You have quite a few boys.

Very nice looking flock.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

*sharp intake of breath*

Aw, poor Happy. My BO isn’t deserving of your love. As she is Satan‘s daughter.

 

[The Happster]

Aw, poor Happy. My BO isn’t deserving of your love. As she is Satan‘s daughter.

Even despite the fact she was the one who laid that nice fresh egg last week?
Happy is Happy-less.