Almost week old chicks

[Deezchix]

Hi all. Any guesses as to breeds? Got some eggs from a breeder for my broody Wyandotte, but she ended up not wanting to sit on them. So I put them in an incubator and they hatched Saturday, Sunday and a wee little one on Monday.They were a mystery mix, so just curious, won't make a difference either way. Husband threw out shells from incubator, I know there was at least one light blue shell may have been more. Also, when and how would I be able to know the sex? Not allowed roosters so would eventually have to find homes for any. Thanks! ~Donna

 

[cherrynberry]

Too young. Wait until they are feathered out for breed.

For gender, wait until they are 6-8 weeks old.

 

[Sally PB]

Right now, they are Adorable Little Chicks. All chickens start that way. Then some become Orpingtons, or Marans, or Wyandottes, or other breeds, or mixes of breeds.

 

[JedJackson]

It looks like most of them have fluffy cheeks which will turn into beards when they are older. Those ones are likely to be Easter egger or Ameraucanas, or crosses of one of those with other breeds.

You won't really know what they are until they are older. If they are mixes, and I think most or all of them are, then you may never know exactly what breeds are in the mix. Time will tell.

I agree that 6 weeks is a good starting point for sexing them.

 

[Lizzy733]

I see a little chipmunk pattern in there. Most of the time, if the stripe on the eye is thick and dark, it's a girl - it and the head overall are typically much lighter in the boys.

At this age, attitude may give you a clue. Boys are outgoing, inquisitive and human seeking. Generally, that friendly chick that loves you and is the first to greet you when you come in.

Keep an eye on those tiny combs. Some breeds mature faster than others and those little combs will be a great indicator, as will the wattles in the slower maturing birds.

I have some golden Campine and Orpingtons in my brooder, which are very much polar opposites on the development scale.

Campines are said to be sexable by 3 weeks. Mine are 2, but I was able to confidently ID 2 cockerels at 1 1/2 weeks by comb development and attitude.

But sometimes attitude can be misleading. The one I thought likely a boy at hatch is looking to be a girl after all. She was a bit bigger and sturdier on top of her attitude from an early age, which is what misled me.

I still have little confidence in the orpingtons. There's one that may be a boy, but I'm not convinced just yet. She/he is still pretty feather bare compared to their sibling and is not as calm as their siblings.

Telling early is also easier if you have more than one of the same breed to compare to. I've alwaulys aimed for getting a specific breed, so tend to have at least one sibling to compare

 

[Deezchix]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I will repost pics in 6 weeks. I have Wyandottes, Barred Rocks, Golden Comets an Orpington and a Speckled Sussex. It will be exciting to find out what kind of lovelies are joining the mix. Thanks again!

 

[Deezchix]

I see a little chipmunk pattern in there. Most of the time, if the stripe on the eye is thick and dark, it's a girl - it and the head overall are typically much lighter in the boys.

At this age, attitude may give you a clue. Boys are outgoing, inquisitive and human seeking. Generally, that friendly chick that loves you and is the first to greet you when you come

But sometimes attitude can be misleading. The one I thought likely a boy at hatch is looking to be a girl after all. She was a bit bigger and sturdier on top of her attitude from an early age, which is what misled me.

Its been very difficult to guess still lol. They are all super friendly. They all chest bump eachother and they get very jealous if you pay attention to just one. The tinier ones have turned out to be the most courageous and outgoing. I think there may be a bantam or two in the mix (but I know nothing of bantams).
What is a Golden Campine?

 

[Deezchix]

Here's how everyone is looking now at 2 weeks. I am hoping at least one is a Speckled Sussex...preferably a pullet. Penushka has feathers on her leg. They are all the sweetest little lovelies. They love when we play "Superman" with them they just lay in our arms while we fly them around the brooder lol
As a side question...anyone know if its ok for chicks to eat the tiny pine shavings and bark pieces? First time putting shavings in their brooder and they spent a few hours pecking at and eating it. They have food and I gave them a treat, but still they kept eating the little bits. I offered them some chick grit.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Here's how everyone is looking now at 2 weeks. I am hoping at least one is a Speckled Sussex...preferably a pullet. Penushka has feathers on her leg. They are all the sweetest little lovelies. They love when we play "Superman" with them they just lay in our arms while we fly them around the brooder lol
As a side question...anyone know if its ok for chicks to eat the tiny pine shavings and bark pieces? First time putting shavings in their brooder and they spent a few hours pecking at and eating it. They have food and I gave them a treat, but still they kept eating the little bits. I offered them some chick grit.

I think a few are speckled Sussexs. The other one may be... I don't really know. maybe @TheOddOneOut could help you? (The expert )

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

I think a few are speckled Sussexs. The other one may be... I don't really know. maybe @TheOddOneOut could help you? (The expert )

Oops messed up the tag. @TheOddOneOut