tmlk Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 (edited) We have a buff orpington, who when brought at 12 - 16 weeks were told was a girl. She has now starting to 'cock-a-doodle-doo' (or more like 'a-rock-a-roo') in the morning when she wants to be let out... around 7:30ish am... and carries on for a while after being let out! She is approx 33 - 37 weeks now, she has quite big red wattles, and we haven't had any eggs! Do you guys think she a he? The last pic is a few weeks ago now but thought ws a good closeup, the first two i have just taken! Edited October 22, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Can you post a picture? That will help, although I would have thought that a girl should have started laying by that age, however Orpingtons do take longer to mature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 OK - it certainly sounds like she is a he, although as Space Chick says girls can take a long time to come into lay. However, at 33-37 weeks there is no way we can mistake a girl for a boy - can you post a pic? If he is a boy he will have long legs, sweeping sickle feathers (just before his tail), big wattles, a large comb and all round be a very large chap! If he is show quality he will have a massive chest and tail, if he is a garden bird he will still be large. Take a look on http://www.feathersite.com, that should help you. If he is a boy I'm afraid he is likely to develop a very loud crow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmlk Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Have added pics sorry are quite big - have forgotten how i did it before... i'll try and edit them in a mo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Orpingtons are notoriously slow to mature, but that one definitely won't ever be laying you any eggs. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Hmmn Those wattles look on the large size for a youngish girl who hasn't come into lay, but the tail feathers are not looking particularly cockerel like. However, I do not have experience of Cockerels personally, I'm sure someone else will be along. I'd guess at a boy sorry Oops cross posted with Jools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alij Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Hi I've just had exactly the same problem.....my Emily and Victoria turned out to be Ernest and Victor. I've posted a pic of Victoria/Victor hopefully. They had to go back on Saturday to the breeder who is going to show Victor I've swapped them both for a salmon faverolle, Bianca and 2 black rocks, Nancy and Wilhemina In the pics Victor is about 24 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmlk Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Have had a look on feathersite... and i still can't tell she looks really like some of the cocks and then again she looks really like some of the chickens? I really don't want to give her up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmlk Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 I've just had exactly the same problem.....my Emily and Victoria turned out to be Ernest and Victor.I've posted a pic of Victoria/Victor hopefully. They had to go back on Saturday to the breeder who is going to show Victor How could you tell... just by crowing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 She is a He. It's the feathers around the neck which are very pointed, and those on his back, just in front of the tail. If you know what to look for, it's obvious in your first picture. There is no doubt, you don't need to wait for crowing or egg laying to decide. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmlk Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks Jools... sounds easy proberly have been finding it so difficult as we have always thought he was a she.... looks like its back to the shop for Pinkie!!! Oh dear there will be tears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I reckon Jools is right. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmlk Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Boy. It was the neck feathers that convinced me. I've got two Orpington young lads, around 22 weeks old, and they have very definite pointy neck feathers and the swooping saddle feathers and yours looks very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I'd say boy too...sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 It's amazing what you can be blind to when it suits isn't it.....I was convinced my Lt Sussex chicks were 2 girls & 1 boy until Griffin set me right...they are definitely 1 girl & 2 boys though, so I'd accept the inevitable & contact the breeder Beautiful big chap though.....I've told mine to keep their beaks shut & they can stay (one I do have a home for so he'll be going soon ), the other one had better stay quiet or he'll be off to a new home too Trouble is that new home should have young pekins for sale soon and I'm a sucker for Pekins.............. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 (edited) Boy from me too! Feathers and wattles are very boyish Sorry. Edited October 22, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I best not tell you Wild mum - that I'm hatching pekins. It's more to see if Button's (my black frizzle hatched a year ago) eggs are fertile or not. I think they certainly could be. Plus I'm trying for another red frizzle. They are going in the incy tonight, as I have time to devote to rearing the chicks in the next couple of months - whilst under heat. What a shame the buff orpington turned out to be a boy - a very handsome boy too. I would have wanted him, if I hadn't got my big cochin boy. I'm a sucker for the boys! ( of the feathery type)! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I'd say boy too...sorry! Me too.... Sorry!..... Is there just one cockerel. Can't you keep him? They are splendid fellows to have around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 It's amazing what you can be blind to when it suits isn't it.....I was convinced my Lt Sussex chicks were 2 girls & 1 boy until Griffin set me right...they are definitely 1 girl & 2 boys though, so I'd accept the inevitable & contact the breeder Beautiful big chap though.....I've told mine to keep their beaks shut & they can stay (one I do have a home for so he'll be going soon ), the other one had better stay quiet or he'll be off to a new home too Trouble is that new home should have young pekins for sale soon and I'm a sucker for Pekins.............. Sha x Sha!! You wouldn't!...... Would you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I'm just back in. 100% definitely for certain a......boy! He's not a show bird but he does look lovely. What's the situation for you with cockerals? Does he have a nice nature? Its a shame to have to part with him when you've got so attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I best not tell you Wild mum - that I'm hatching pekins. Emma.x What a good thing you don't live closer then ......not sure if I told you, but I nearly contacted you re some of Spongebob's eggs (yes I know he's the dad not the mum ) when Buffie went broody, but decided to go for a close local supplier as I didn't know if she was even going to stay put Sha x Sha!! You wouldn't!...... Would you? Wouldn't what ...send him away or get more Pekins or are you reading my witterings differently to me...very possible!!! If I send him away I shall miss him terribly as it's the boys who are the friendliest of the Bufflings, Pansy is an aloof little minx One of the boys is going to a friend & will have his own little harem....the second home I have is with all the other "unwanted " boys in their own huge field with houses, & she said she rarely has any losses to the fox , she being the breeder where my original girls came from, the one with the Pekin babies Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I meant get more Pekins! You are a little devil when it comes to chickens. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I haven't got any more spare housing at the mo, as I don't want to use my emergency house just in case I have an emergency !! Maybe once the babies go in with Blossom & the Bitzas........ DH would be unimpressed too Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I haven't got any more spare housing at the mo, as I don't want to use my emergency house just in case I have an emergency !! Maybe once the babies go in with Blossom & the Bitzas........ DH would be unimpressed too Sha x MORE!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
