Lavender Orpington roo?

Tiny raptor

In the Brooder
Apr 18, 2025
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Hi! I know it is very early to ask.... Sorry, but I can't help but wonder what you guys think too..
So this little one is about 2-3 weeks old, pretty much right in the middle of that.
He is growing the same as the other breeds i have but he is not growing his wing or tail feathers much like the pullets I have.
I am very new to chickens, so I really don't know much of anything. But I just feel like this one might be a roo. It was a straight run pick at the local feed store. Any opinions?

Thanks!
 

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give it another two to three weeks. the feather growth method only works if you know the animal's parents, and can confirm your birds were bred to be identified that way. if lineage is unclear, it could go either way. sometimes males feather first, sometimes they feather last, and sometimes a hatchery supervisor says "hmm........ this chicken is really good at making more chickens, let's use him as a breeder." and then there's roosters feathering at random speeds because farmers like money.
I would go more by behavior, and by the size and redness of the comb and wattles, and it should be easier to tell as they age.
 
Orpington males do tend to comb up and turn red early, so you'll probably know within a month. If the comb stays small and pale, you can with decent confidence be relieved it's a girl. I have a month-old half Buff Orpington, half Aloha chick growing up in my yard right now who is practically waving a flag that says "I'm a male" already.
 

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