[wannabesmallholder]

Anyone care to take a guess at the sex of these 18 week orpingtons? There are 3 in total. None are crowing, but one or two have become a bit more aggressive recently. I know orps are slower to develop so wondered if we have one or more cockerels.

[landroverroy]

Both hens - small comb and wattle and no sickle feathers round the tail.

[wannabesmallholder]

Ok thank you. It’s 3 separate ones and it was one of the gold laced ones that’s become particularly aggressive (and problematic with the other breeds in the flock).

[Perris]

I'd guess that's a hen too, but certainty will come only when they either lay or crow!

[chrismahon]

Our Orpingtons began to sex at 18 weeks but two were as late as 26 weeks. She went to bed as a hen and the next morning…..!

[wannabesmallholder]

Thanks [member=23925]chrismahon[/member] I want to sell 2 of them, so I guess will have to wait a bit longer before I can sell them as hens!!

[in the hills]

I would have suspicions that the second one could be a cockerel.

[landroverroy]

I would have suspicions that the second one could be a cockerel.

I agree the second one is less clear than the first, but I would still say it's definitely a hen. On first sight it's a nice compact dumpy shape, whereas cockerels at that age are a lot more leggy.


But even more defining (as stated) is the absence of sickle feathers round the tail. They would certainly be visible now if this was a male bird.
 

[wannabesmallholder]

I would have suspicions that the second one could be a cockerel.

It’s the second one that i am suspicious of behaviour-wise too!

[member=6533]landroverroy[/member] would the cockerel features still be obvious at these age even in orps, as I know they are slower to show?

[in the hills]

My daughter thought three hens. She thinks the overall shape is more hen like.


A neighbour found this breed difficult to sex.


Only sure way is to wait and see!

[landroverroy]

My daughter thought three hens. She thinks the overall shape is more hen like.


A neighbour found this breed difficult to sex.


Only sure way is to wait and see!

 Hmm . . . first impression - definitely 3 hens. But then the more I look closely, the more a slight element of doubt creeps in for the second 2.  
I have had Buff Orpingtons that I had my doubts with at the same age as these; but my birds were much more leggy, not the compact feminine shape of these, and mine did turn out to be male.

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[in the hills]

I thought that the third was possibly a cockerel on first sight too!


Mmmmm, you'll have to let us know Wannabesmallholder!

[wannabesmallholder]

Err, well one of them laid an egg this morning, so at least I know there's one hen!! Wasn't expecting that so early!

[in the hills]

 


Let's hope there are 3 tomorrow!

[roddycm]

I'd say hens!