When do lavender Orpington pullets start to get a red crest and wattles? When do cockerels start to

[Savannah Rose]

My lavender orpingtons are about 11 weeks and have pale (actually sorta yellow) pinkish crest that aren't very large (but they aren't flat) and I don't really see there wattles. Can you tell by the saddle feathers at this age? Both my babies have short roundish saddle feathers at the moment. I am new to raising chickens so I'm not really sure what age a cockerel will start to crow or definitely look like a cockerel. I'm hoping both my babies are pullets so we can keep them

 

[Michael OShay]

The combs of most breeds including Orpingtons will begin to enlarge and redden in cockerels anywhere from 5 to 9 weeks. The long pointed saddle feathers are not readily observable in most breeds until about 14-18 weeks. If your Orpingtons have not developed very red combs and wattles by 11 weeks they are almost certainly pullets. If you can post a pic of them we can confirm their gender.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

The combs of most breeds including Orpingtons will begin to enlarge and redden in cockerels anywhere from 5 to 9 weeks. The long pointed saddle feathers are not readily observable in most breeds until about 14-18 weeks. If your Orpingtons have not developed very red combs and wattles by 11 weeks they are almost certainly pullets. If you can post a pic of them we can confirm their gender.

I agree

 

[Savannah Rose]

While I was attempting to get a picture one of them stretched it neck and opened its mouth O-O did it attempt to crow? O-O no noise came out... bunt now I'm suspicious... could have just been yawning?

 

[Michael OShay]

While I was attempting to get a picture one of them stretched it neck and opened its mouth O-O did it attempt to crow? O-O no noise came out... bunt now I'm suspicious... could have just been yawning?

Even pullets make noises; sometimes a lot of it, but that's not the same thing as an actual crow. Again though, if you can get a pic for us, we can sex them for you.

 

[Savannah Rose]

Heh heh sorry I am being paranoid :S it honestly was more of a stretch and yawn than anything... just caught me off guard haha. Here are some pics-

I actually heard it's common for that "silent crowning" behavior in chickens. Like its a stretching maneuver. Also something was mentioned about gapeworm but that's something for a different post. When my chick did it she did it multiple times but no noise came out. Has this happened to any of your chickens?

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

As long as the strange yawning doesn't happen to often and they don't have runny noses or wheeze I wouldn't worry. Also, they both look like pullets

 

[Michael OShay]

Both of them are pullets. )

 

[cfarrugia32]

I have 2 Lavender Orpingtons that are born March 15....11 weeks today. Same rooster different hens. One of them has a larger comb and wattle but it is very pink not red. And doesnt not display and dominant roo actions. Do I have 2 hens or 1 of each??? 1st year with chickens. Thank you

 

[Mamatomany123]

I have 2 Lavender Orpingtons that are born March 15....11 weeks today. Same rooster different hens. One of them has a larger comb and wattle but it is very pink not red. And doesnt not display and dominant roo actions. Do I have 2 hens or 1 of each??? 1st year with chickens. Thank you

You have 1 cockerel and 1 pullet