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04/16/11, 03:56 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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Could y'all give me some peace of mind?
I was sold these chickens as pullets at two days old, but I know that it's not always a 100% sure to know their gender 'til they're older.
I have two buff Orpingtons and two Ameraucanas. They're two months old now. I'm worried that one of the Orpingtons and one of the Ameraucanas may be cockerals.
The BOs and one of the Ameraucanas. It's the BO on the left I'm kind of worried about. I know that female BOs have fairly large combs and waddles, but the other one hasn't really developed its own yet (although the little BO is the lowest on the pecking order, and also the smallest of the four at this point)
And this is the Ameraucana I'm worried about.
If they wind up roosters, I'm going to have to get rid of them since I cannot legally keep roosters where I am.
The Ameraucana I'm pretty certain is female. This one's tail isn't as big and pretty.
Any thoughts? 
Last edited by BoldViolet; 04/16/11 at 03:58 PM.
Reason: added another pic for comparison
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04/16/11, 04:06 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,259
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The BO on the left is a absolutely a cockerel. The other pic you're worried about wouldn't load for me (it's my slow internet, not your picture) so I won't comment there. Though at 2 months it's going to be tough to tell with that one anyway if it has the pea comb, which it should.
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“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” - E.B. White
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04/16/11, 04:12 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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Figures.  That's our favorite one. And you're absolutely 100% sure?
Thank you for the reply, even though it wasn't the news I was hoping to hear.
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04/16/11, 04:54 PM
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homesteader
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: SE Missouri
Posts: 28,248
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Yes, that BO is a cockerel. Big comb, much thicker legs and more upright stance. I expect the EE with the red comb is male too.
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I believe in God's willingness to heal.
Cyngbaeld's Keep Heritage Farm, breeding a variety of historical birds and LaMancha goats. (It is pronounced King Bold.)
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04/16/11, 05:03 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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Well, I called the feed store where I bought them, and was told that she's actually got a waiting list of people looking for roosters, so hopefully, I can rehome him ASAP.
I'll take more pictures of the EE. I posted this pic on Backyardchickens, and am being told it's female. I just want to make sure, since I don't want to annoy my neighbors with any crowing roosters.
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04/16/11, 05:18 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: northern Kentucky
Posts: 696
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Maybe the rooster is really a hermaphrodite hen 
"There is no rooster here. I only bought 4 hens officer. I promise. See here is my reciept for 4 pullets. That one is just confused and thinks it is a rooster."
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04/16/11, 05:57 PM
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homesteader
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: SE Missouri
Posts: 28,248
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You'll hardly ever see a 2 month old pullet with a red comb, but frequently will see a 2 month old cockerel with a red comb.
__________________
I believe in God's willingness to heal.
Cyngbaeld's Keep Heritage Farm, breeding a variety of historical birds and LaMancha goats. (It is pronounced King Bold.)
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04/16/11, 06:24 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,533
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If you want to be absolutely sure, pull one of the hackle (neck) feathers and hold it up to the light. If it's a roo, the feather will come to a point. You'll be able to see the point. A pullet will have a rounded hackle feather.
I agree with the others; you've got two cockerals.
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04/16/11, 07:15 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freedomfrom4
Maybe the rooster is really a hermaphrodite hen
"There is no rooster here. I only bought 4 hens officer. I promise. See here is my reciept for 4 pullets. That one is just confused and thinks it is a rooster." |
You can also tell the officer that "some" hens try to "crow"...honest! MINE DO! And it's funnier than all get out...in there laying eggs and crowing at the same time...weird, I tell ya, just weird.
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04/17/11, 04:14 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Frozen in Michigan
Posts: 4,887
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it resembles an EE pullet i have.. But that being said- I have never had an EE cockeral so I cannot compare it. I wish I could take your Buff cockeral though! I bet he is going to be gorgeous!
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04/17/11, 05:01 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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A user on backyardchickens says that this EE is a female and that this color only occurs in females.
:: happy dance ::
Last edited by BoldViolet; 04/17/11 at 05:05 PM.
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04/17/11, 05:16 PM
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homesteader
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: SE Missouri
Posts: 28,248
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Male, sorry.
__________________
I believe in God's willingness to heal.
Cyngbaeld's Keep Heritage Farm, breeding a variety of historical birds and LaMancha goats. (It is pronounced King Bold.)
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04/17/11, 05:23 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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The post on BYC says:
"That color ONLY occurs in females. ONLY.
Her saddle feathers are not male at all. While they may be 'pointy,' that is a common EE trait. If she was male, they would be thin, VERY pointy, and very shiny."
But I know you're an expert on poultry, too. I'm so confused.
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04/17/11, 05:34 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,533
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Put both EEs side by side. Look at their legs. Are the legs belonging to the red combed bird coarser than the other bird? I agree that it doesn' t look much like a rooster whole body-wise. Those hackle feathers just don't lie.
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04/17/11, 06:07 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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To me, their legs look alike. And I scrutinized them for a while trying to see if the legs to the bird in question were thicker than the other's or if there is spur development or anything.
Thanks for helping me work through this everyone.
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04/17/11, 08:34 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,533
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OK, look @ the heads. See how much heavier the BO cockerel is compared to the pullets? This bird has a heavier head too.
Last edited by Judy in IN; 04/17/11 at 09:22 PM.
Reason: Blitz
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04/17/11, 09:28 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Central New York
Posts: 584
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Do you have to make a decison so quick not to keep the males ?
Seems so, they are about 4 months old before they start crowing.
And the first few times, they sound just downright silly
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04/18/11, 04:37 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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Well, my timing was perfect.
I walked into the feedstore with Peter/Petunia to give him back to the owner. As she went to get a box, a man kind of peered into the cat carrier I had the rooster in.
"Is that an Orpington rooster?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Sooo.... what are you doing with him?"
"Well, I can't keep roosters where I am, so the store owner is going to find him a home for me."
"Funny you should say that. We're here to ask her to find us a Buff Orpington rooster."
YAY! So my sweet rooster already has a home where he'll have 17 girlfriends.
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