Buff Orpington - 4.5 week old Cockerel or Pullet?

[birdgirl999]

Hello all!

I am brand new to raising chickens (this is my first batch) and loving it! We got 4x day old chicks and I'm starting to think that my buff orpington is a roo... Wondering if someone more experienced with this breed has any insight.

I have been holding out hope that (s)he may grow into his/her wattle and comb development, but then this week the voice started changing and sounding more like a full on cluck than a chirp, which seems early to me. Also he/she chest bumps the delaware who also has a much smaller comb but no wattles. Feet nor body seem particularly large, and no saddle feathers have developed thusfar to help. Doesn't like being picked up much..

Here are some photos of her as she progressed...

at 2.5 weeks

at 4.5 weeks

So what do you think? Cockerel or a wait and see?

 

[swamphiker]

Yep, your buff orpington is a cockerel. Saddle feathers won't start to develop for awhile yet, but the size and color in the comb/wattles gives him away.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Definitely cockerel.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Based on the comb I'd say it's a cockerel!

 

[Jt and Chicks]

I would say cockerel because the comb and waffle and rooster take longer to feather and I have a buff orpington chick that is younger than him and is fully feathered

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would say cockerel because the comb and waffle and rooster take longer to feather and I have a buff orpington chick that is younger than him and is fully feathered

Since when do chickens have waffles? Oh wait, I know, because only daddy chickens make waffles.

 

[birdgirl999]

Thank you all for your quick response! I'll get to figuring out a rehoming plan, as my city ordinances prohibit roosters

 

[AgnesGray]

Since when do chickens have waffles? Oh wait, I know, because only daddy chickens make waffles.

Chicken and waffles is a thing! I haven't had it, but a lot of people like their chicken with waffles.

And, yes, definitely a cockerel.

 

[Jt and Chicks]

Since when do chickens have waffles? Oh wait, I know, because only daddy chickens make waffles.

Haha I meant waddles

 

[birdgirl999]

Thanks for all the help, everyone! Will be sad to see him go, but unfortunately can't keep a roo