6-week old chick behavior

[Avrilon]

Hello chicken people

My husband brought home 7 black copper maran chicks two weeks ago and they are now 6 weeks old. They are my first chickens and I'm having a ball with them and they seen happy and healthy. (I'm getting some 2-day old buff orpingtons and brahmas tomorrow!

). I have no idea what sex these chicks are and am wondering about behavior. Do chicks at this age show any roo behavior? I have several that are doing a challenging chest bump and then giving each other the stare-down until one backs down. It looks like two guys going at it, but I know there is a pecking order with chickens and maybe that's what's going on? Generally they all get along great and nobody is being picked on at all. Just those chest bump skirmishes. I sure wish there was a good way to distinguish gender! Is there any behavior that helps determine gender at this age? Visually I have no clue, even after going through the black copper maran threads.

Thanks for any input; I'm learning so much here (and have been lurking for several years).

 

[mommto3kiddos]

My 6 week old hens are doing the same thing! Trying to figure out whos going to be the boss I think

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Post some pics, maybe that would give people an idea and they could help you more. Sexing chicks by behavior is not the best way, but cockerels are a little more aggressive, but then again so can some pullets. I have and 8 week old leghorn roo that grabbed my sons finger with his beak and shook it, very aggressive for so young. Probably going to freezer camp after he's nice and fat.

 

[Michie]

I have a 5 week old black copper maran, and you know they are male from very very early on. I will find a pic and show you. Very significant comb and waddles. But at 2 days old, my breeder told me it was a boy by the legs(something with the color of feathers).

The one on the right is the BCM (boy), and I do believe the cochin is a girl, but they chest but each other all day. I find the boy is sweeter than the girl cochin at the moment lol

I can prob find more if you need me to!

 

[VkyVky]

Michie, those chicks are sooooo cute! I didn't know about the chest bumping thing... my chicks don't arrive until June 1st.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Just don't put the new ones in with the ones you already have.

 

[Shanda]

We had five australorps hatch Thanksgiving weekend. From very early on it seemed they were all chest butting each other. I was afraid I had 5 roosters. They are now a little over 4 months old and it appears I only have two roosters.

 

[Avrilon]

Thanks everyone! This gives me some hope that maybe they're all female because none of the chicks have a comb like yours Michie. Your guy's comb is pink too; all mine have kind of flesh-colored combs at this point - and much smaller ones. I think I'll try to take some pictures this weekend to see what ya'll think. Thanks for posting your picture!

Celtric Druid, I have a different brooder set up for the little guys, but thanks for the reminder.

Avrilon

 

[Michie]

Thanks!! Hes very sweet too. I wish I could keep him, but I just cant

I live in a neighborhood and people would def. notice a "crowing" in the mornings lol His comb and waddles are quite red & prominant. Yesterday he started making the motion of crowing with his neck and mouth open, but no sound came out. Hes gonna have to go soon.

Hope I find him a good home with someone who appreciates him!! Bet he will be beautiful!!

 

[Avrilon]

Aw, that's too bad you can't keep him, but I understand. We recently moved from a neighborhood that wouldn't allow chickens at all to 10 acres - so can finally have chickens and roosters if we want (I hear my neighbors crowing all the time), but I only want one rooster right now and we've planned on it being a light Brahma. I hope you can find a good home for your little guy; he's mighty good lookin'. We have an acquaintence here who will take whatever roosters we don't want, thankfully. He breeds chickens and goats and thinks the more the merrier.

Your cochin is beautiful too... I have some blues coming next month! (What I've read about chicken math is certainly true; I'd planned on getting 5 or 6 total and already have 18 with another 10 - plus 10 guineas - on the way! I think I must've lost my mind!)