Sexing Mixed Breed and Orpington Chicks

[Bithiah]

Hey! I have 5 babies my hen hatched out this summer (I got hatching eggs locally) and am trying to sex them, at least 4 of the 5. I have some ideas myself but it's kind of hard to know for sure so thought I would get some more opinions. These pictures were taken last week (9 weeks old).

So first ones to sex are pretty similar and are mixed breed from a backyard flock. One tail seems maybe slightly smaller and their chest is more tan on it. I feel like both of them are roos, and they starting showing bright crowns pretty early on.

Second is a tan one that is starting to get a an interesting tuft on it's head, but no crown yet. Not sure if that is a breed thing though since some don't seem to have crowns and I don't really know what kind of chicken it is.

The last two are Lavender Orpingtons. One I am pretty sure is a hen but the second one I am not sure of.

I will call the black with larger tan on chest Chick 1, the second black one Chick 2, The tan will be Chick 3, and the Lavenders 4, and 5 for the other. I will put the Chick information for the picture below each one.

Chick 1


Chick 1 (left), Chick 2 (right)


Chick 5 (far left), Chick 2 (black to the left), Chick 3 (tan in the middle), Chick 1 (far right cut off)


Chick 5 (farthest back), Chick 3 (Second light one from the top), Chick 1 (Black to the left), Chick 2 (Other Black one), Mom


Chick 5 (Top Lavender), Chick 3 (Tan/Light on in the middle), Chick 1 (left most black chick), Chick 2 (right black chick), Mom


mom, Chick 3 (tan in the middle), Chick 2 (black in the middle)


Chick 4 (lavender in the middle), mom


Chick 4


Chick 4


Chick 3


Chick 3


I realize my photography skills are not great, so I can get more/better pictures if needed. Just let me know which ones and what the picture should show.

Thanks!

 

[cherrynberry]

Chick 1, 2, and 4 appear to be cockerels.

 

[Little Baby Bean]

Chick 1, 2, and 4 appear to be cockerels.

Agreed!

 

[cherrynberry]

Chick 3 and 4 are pullets.

 

[Bithiah]

Chick 3 and 4 are pullets.

3 and 4? You said 4 was a cockerel earlier so are you changing your mind or one post has a typo?

Earlier on I thought 1, 2, and 4 were cockerels as they all got earlier crowns.

 

[Little Baby Bean]

3 and 4? You said 4 was a cockerel earlier so are you changing your mind or one post has a typo?

Earlier on I thought 1, 2, and 4 were cockerels as they all got earlier crowns.

I think she meant 5.

 

[Bithiah]

I think she meant 5.

That would make sense, just wanted to make sure.

My question is what about Chick 4 shows him as a boy? Like I said I thought so early on, because the crown, but when I see him next to mom up there now, they look so alike to me.

 

[Little Baby Bean]

That would make sense, just wanted to make sure.

My question is what about Chick 4 shows him as a boy? Like I said I thought so early on, because the crown, but when I see him next to mom up there now, they look so alike to me.

Well yeah his comb is too big for such a young age. Because his mom is a full grown hen and their combs only get big once they get to laying age. Chick 4's comb should get giant as he grows.

 

[cherrynberry]

3 and 4? You said 4 was a cockerel earlier so are you changing your mind or one post has a typo?

Earlier on I thought 1, 2, and 4 were cockerels as they all got earlier crowns.

Sorry! Yes, I meant 5

 

[Bithiah]

@cherrynberry Thanks! Just what I thought then really.

@Little Baby Bean Thank you. That makes sense I suppose.