Thanks to all for the great pictures. Speaking of australorp roos, I have one additional question. I bought some australorp chicks in September (totally different group of chickens from the hens I was discussing) from a young man who breed his black australorps that he had purchased from McMurray hatchery. Out of the 7 pullets/roos that I have, 5 or 6 are roos--1 is still yet to be determined. My question is--why do a couple of the roos have a rose comb rather than a single comb? Is that common? They are supposed to be full-blooded black australorps. If I want to breed them, should I breed one of the rose comb roos or one of the single comb roos?
For BamaChicken or whomever, I have a quick buff orpington question--I have 3 pullets/roos that I got from the same young man in September as got my young black australorps from. I cannot see any major differences in them yet. I don't know if I have pullets or cockerels. One is most probably a hen because she basically has no comb--just a smidgeon. The other two have small combs, but they don't appear to be growing roo tail feathers or anything. None of them are crowing, I don't believe. I've never seen any of them crow, let me say. When should I know for sure? They were hatched at the beginning of September, so they are right at 12 weeks old, give or take a little.
Thanks.