Hens or Roos?

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lynn52

lynn52

Chirping
10 Years
Jun 2, 2009
39
3
79
Maine
I have had chickens before, a few time actually, we had to relocate which caused me to have to place my hens with a good friend. Now we are settled and looking to start another flock. So I went to a local agway store and got 7 chicks (was going to get 6 but there ways only one left and I couldn't leave it behind) these were all supposed to be sexed females. Now at almost a week old they are getting wing feathers. 3 are very gorgeous distinct long wing feathers, 3 have very short hardly there wing feathers and 1 is kind of in between. These are Easter egger chicks any ideas on how I can sex them? Or if you have pics to show me on week old hens vs Roos? Anything would help! I tried to tell by the combs but they all look exactly the same.
 
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There is no way to tell at a week old. Feather sexing will not work on easter eggers. Some EEs can keep you guessing for quite a while but it should be reasonably clear by 10-12 weeks depending on colour pattern etc. In the meantime, don't torture yourself!
wink.png
 
x2, for to young to sex. Wing sexing only works on day one and with just a few breeds that have been bred for the trait. Easter Eggers are typically pea combed which makes it even harder to sex the chicks.
 
So frustrating! It seems as though every time I buy sexed chicks I always end up with a few roosters in the group. And they are all supposed to be the same age, and are pretty much the same size. They all look different, but the wings like I said, 3 are very long, 3 are very short and one is in between. I have 7 more chicks coming in may, but I wanted to get these started. Also, I have had a variety of different breeds, RIR, sex links, leghorns, EE, Cochins, buffs....all of them that I started as chicks, started laying pretty early, 16-20 weeks. But everything I have read says that EE start laying between 28-33 weeks. Just curious as to other people's experiences?
 
I've never had an Easter Egger that took longer than 24 weeks to start laying. Easter Eggers need a higher protein content than some other breeds. Switching to layer, too soon, will dramatically lengthen the time it takes for them to start laying.
Most of the time, Easter Eggers can be sexed fairly accurately once they are feathered in.
 
So what do you recommend for feeding? Right now they are on chick starter, I would switch over to crumbles when they are about 3-4 weeks old, and then layer pellets around 16-18 weeks?
 
Unmedicated starter, all flock, or flock raiser can be fed for the entire lifetime. There is absolutely no reason why you NEED to ever feed layer feed, as long as you provide your layers with a source of calcium. There is no magic ingredient in layer feed. It's just regular feed, with less protein and a whole lot more calcium. And it's formulated to be the only source of nutrition. Too many extras and treats and you can end up with protein deficient birds that start egg eating or eating each other's feathers. For most backyard flock keepers, it's not the best choice.
 
Oh that's good to know!! I usually feed out layer pellets and will also give greens, left over fruits and vimegiis I have or tops to berries, or veggies things like that. I have always had very healthy birds that were excellent layers. Even through the very cold winter months. Strong shells on the eggs too. But I will have to do some more research. And look into it.
 
Back to gender issues. Have you considered buying older pullets at point of lay, that truly are female? Or sex links that are born a particular color for males and for females.?

Either way would reduce the number of cockerels you get stuck with.
 
I have considered it, but the fun for us in raising a flock is raising them from chicks, and watching them grow. Seeing how they change and waiting for that first egg. My kids especially love it. And we like the Easter Eggers they are so fun! I don't like having roosters, but I do have someone that is willing to take them off my hands so it's not a huge deal. I was just curious if there was a way to tell the sex on week old EE.
 

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