Splash Orpington- Hen or Roo?

[kelsfarm]

Hi!

Here is an updated 5-6 week picture of my splash Orpington. Hen or roo?? Hoping for hen!! Came out of a straight run batch

 

[cherrynberry]

Definitely leaning cockerel

 

[cherrynberry]

What characteristics are you looking at? I am very new to this

At this age, just the comb. Once he is older (10-14 weeks), we are looking for male specific feathering (male saddles, male hackles, patchy coloring, male specific coloring, larger combs, larger wattles, etc.) Some cockerels in specific breeds may also get patches on their wing bows which indicate male (common in Wyandotte's and a lot of EEs).

 

[cherrynberry]

How about these two? They are supposed to be hens but have larger combs. They may be a week older than the others. The first one I believe is a black sex link? And the second is a blue ply rock.

First one doesn't look like a BSL to me, leaning cockerel for him as well. Second one is a pullet, if her breed is correct. BPR males are barred.

They are still a little young, which is why I mentioned the "leaning". I have definitely had birds that have surprised me.

 

[Gracellyn23]

Yeah, I'm getting Cockerel vibes. But there's still hope! It's pretty early to tell.

 

[cherrynberry]

I found a local hatchery guy near me who has a little business, runs it out of his home. I went there

If that is true and she is a BSL, its a female. We'll see.

Definitely explains a lot though.

 

[kelsfarm]

I found a local hatchery guy near me who has a little business, runs it out of his home. I went there

Thank you! @cherrynberry !

 

[cherrynberry]

If that is true and she is a BSL, its a female. We'll see.

Definitely explains a lot though.

BSLs are just crosses that result in barred males and females without barring. The pairing is SO easy to make, that literally anyone can breed BSLs.

ANY male without barring crossed with ANY female with barring will result in what is known as black sexlinks. As long as dominant white, silver, etc. isn't involved, the barring sould show up pretty well. Because hatcheries always use the same two breeds to make them, they always result in similarly looking offspring. If she came out of a "breeder" it would explain the differences. Not sure if he bred his own birds, though.

 

[kelsfarm]

Definitely leaning cockerel

What characteristics are you looking at? I am very new to this

 

[kelsfarm]

At this age, just the comb. Once he is older (10-14 weeks), we are looking for male specific feathering (male saddles, male hackles, patchy coloring, male specific coloring, larger combs, larger wattles, etc.) Some cockerels in specific breeds may also get patches on their wing bows which indicate male (common in Wyandotte's and a lot of EEs).

How about these two? They are supposed to be hens but have larger combs. They may be a week older than the others. The first one I believe is a black sex link? And the second is a blue ply rock.