Barred Rock Chicks Trying to Fly at 6 Days Old?!?

[dixieandthechicks]

Hi!!

So I have been terrible at updating you guys! We got 20 chicks last Wednesday - 11 Barred Rocks and 9 Buff Orpingtons. My husband's coworker took 3 Barreds and 2 Buffs leaving us with 15. We had them in a 40 gallon horse trough and that was NOT enough.. We joked that the Barreds were "Barred Rockets!" We moved them to a 110 gallon trough (it was supposed to be a raised bed - but it will be a brooder first!)

Anyhow, this morning, this little one found its way to the top of the feeder! Is this normal?!?

Also - PLEASE tell me it's a hen and not a roo.. it's SO friendly and we can't have roosters in city limits

 

[Mamatomany123]

It's very normal for any chick to start flying at that age. Mine did so I moved them to an extra large dog crate. You will need to put some time of barrier ontop, like hardware cloth, or else they will all eventually be out of the brooder. Not sure about the sex.

 

[CSAchook]

Totally normal behavior Too early to tell gender though. Wait until at least 4 weeks old and then post some pictures in the "what breed or gender" forum.