*updated with pics* 7 week-old BO chicks

[molly d]

Does anyone happen to know how to sex buff orpington chicks? I currently have two that are about 7 weeks old, and I'm wondering if one of them is a roo. She (I'm still calling her a she in hopes that I'll get to keep her) has a much bigger comb than the other and is more aggressive. Is there another way to tell aside from the comb? We can't have roosters where I live, unfortunately, so I'll have to find a new home for her if she does turn out to be a roo. I would hate it if that were the case because she's my favorite out of the bunch! Will post pics when I get home from work, but for now I'd appreciate any feedback. This is my first flock so I know nothing about sexing chicks. I got them from a farm supply store so they should be pullets, but mistakes do happen. Anyway, thanks in advance

 

[Sequin]

Pictures will help us help you in identifying gender. Generally speaking roos feather out more slowly, start growing combs and wattles earlier, start getting pink/red color in the comb/wattles earlier, and typically have thicker legs; though there can always be exceptions to every rule. However, if you post pictures of your chick in question then you can get more opinions that will help in determining gender. Last year I ended up with 2 roos - one was from an order of 3 sexed pullets, so yes, mistakes do happen - though I thought out of 3 there shouldn't have been any roos. Oh well. He is a good boy to watch over his girls while free ranging.

 

[molly d]

Added pics to original post. That comb has me nervous!

 

[Sequin]

I am going to go with pullet at this point. She might just be dominant, or asserting herself has alpha hen. They do have to establish, and keep, a pecking order. My BA chicks were horrible about establishing order, and several times I thought for sure I must have a roo in the bunch, but they all turned out to be girls after all. So, yeah, I am gonna say pullet.

 

[molly d]

Thanks Sequin! I hope you're right. She's bossy, but she's a sweet girl and I would hate to give her up. It's not so much her behavior I'm worried about as it is her giant comb. You can barely see the comb on Chick Pea, my other orp girl, but the one on Pot Pie is huge! Hopefully she's just an early bloomer

 

[HathawayHens]

Her comb is not as dark red as most of the roo pics I have seen, even of 4 or 5 weekers, so hopefully she is a pullet...

 

[NonnasBabies]

I think she's a pullet!!

Missi

 

[molly d]

Thanks for the feedback, everybody. I sincerely hope you're right! She's a great little lady with an absolutely hilarious personality, so I definitely want to keep her. Here's to hoping!

 

[embkm]

I think she's a pullet. Her comb might be a little big, but there's no pink in it.