Have I Been Bamboozled on the Sex of My ISA Brown

[Rosiered2020]

Hi everyone. I am a very, very new to this chicken raising thing and would love some feedback. I bought this chick a couple of weeks ago at tractor supply in the ISA Brown Pullet bin. However, the older she gets the more "she" looks like a "he." From my understanding, ISA brown is a sex-link breed and so I should be most assured that it is a pullet, but the aggressive behavior towards the other chick (a silkie) and the way that it stands up so straight, I am beginning to wonder if it is a cockerel. Any input is appreciated! I think it is about 4 weeks old!

 

[Sagey_7878]

I think you’ll need to wait a bit longer, come back in a few weeks

 

[keesmom]

That is a pullet. Do you have any other chicks? Silkies are small and generally docile, and don't always do the best with LF breeds.

 

[Rosiered2020]

That is a pullet. Do you have any other chicks? Silkies are small and generally docile, and don't always do the best with LF breeds.

We only have two chicks in the brooder and three hens in the coop. We can only have a very small flock due to our neighborhood and after learning that silkies are great pets, got one for our 4 year old, along with the ISA Brown because we heard they were great layers and also docile. Do you think that it is a bad idea to have 4 layers and a silkie together? I have heard mixed reviews, but am absolutely open to advice!

 

[Gray Farms]

Pullet. Cockerel would be white.

 

[sourland]

Pullet - raised with a large fowl flock silkies sometimes do okay. Integrated into an established large fowl flock they frequently are targeted because of their smaller size and mellow temperament.

 

[Rosiered2020]

Pullet - raised with a large fowl flock silkies sometimes do okay. Integrated into an established large fowl flock they frequently are targeted because of their smaller size and mellow temperament.

Is there anything that you would recommend to help keep her from being bullied? The ISA Brown is beginning to be aggressive and it is very new behavior. They have been buddies up until now!

 

[sourland]

Chicken social structure or pecking order can be cruel - sort of like mean girls in high school. If the ISA Brown starts drawing blood, it may be necessary to separate them.