Rooster tail vs pullet tail

[Cryss]

I have 2 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Lavender Orpingtons. One lav looks to be a roo. The other is smaller but has a comb and wattle but I inderstand even the hens can have wattles. Now I want to identify by their tails. Pullets have fan tails, roos have jagged tails. That's what I was told. I'd love to see some pics demonstrating this. Any help?

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Here is the best way to tell the difference between adult chickens and roos... Because keep in mind, if a hen is molting, she'll have a 'jagged' tail. Post a pic of the one your concerned with and we can help you out there...

 

[igorsMistress]

It depends on their age. How old are your chickens? It's easy when they're old enough to start growing their saddle and hackle feathers out. Before that it can be more difficult. Have you posted pics to get opinions?

 

[Cryss]

Eggsmerelda

Nugget the Buff in front

Maryjane or Marvin?

Repecca the Lav in front, Eggsmerelda the Buff next to her, Maryjane the Lav in back, Nugget the buff off to the right.

Buff Nugget in front, Buff Eggsmerelda (Eggy), Lav Maryjane showing her "better" side, Lav Repecca (Pecca) off to the left.

 

[Cryss]

Oh, and they are about 8 1/2 weeks old.

 

[igorsMistress]

OMG Eggsmerelda? Love it!

I understand your concern over Maryjane/Marvin, I would think a possible Marvin too. 8 1/2 weeks might be a little early sometimes, but not always. Can you get a pic of comb and wattles, maybe a side shot of the body? You might look for a what breed/gender thread and post there.

Based on my experience with Australorps the roos combs were bigger at an earlier age and much pinker than the girls.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Cryss! Nice to have another New Jersian! I see that Maryjane’s comb is redder than Repeccas. As for Maryjane’s tail feathers they look unkept. I think Maryjane is a pullet . Keep us updated please.

 

[imnukensc]

Maryjane/Marvin is a head scratcher. The rest look like pullets. You should know for certain on MJ/M in a few more weeks.

 

[Cryss]

Hi Brahma Chicken5000! Warren County here! I hope you'r right, I don't want roos at this point. This is all too new.
imnukensc, I'm going to wait about 4 weeks cuz that's when the breeder will have replacement pullets if needed.
I'll keep you all updated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I had gotten 2 lavender pullets this spring. I swore one was a rooster based on it's large pink comb at an early age. It turned out to be a pullet as it was supposed to be. I would wait a while before deciding which way it's going. They seem to be a bit trickier to tell than other Orpington varieties. I had to wait until nearly 4 months of age. It also was the first to start laying from the batch.