At what age can you tell if your chicks are roosters or pullets?

[2go2scotland]

We have four chicks hatched out naturally by their moms. Two of them are 12 weeks old and on their own--in the flock with their mom, but mom is not caring for them any more----and two of them are 10 weeks old and mom is still taking care of them. Their father is a Speckled Sussex and their mothers are either Marans or a Black Austrolorp, so all the chicks are black. One chick has copper or red all down it's neck and chest. Two are raven black like the BA hen--and the other is a lighter shade of black with some white. Two of them have tail feathers that stick up--but, my BA hen looks like her tail feathers stick up too. So--are these roos or chcks? How long before I can know for certain?

 

[Kelsie2290]

You might want to try posting pictures of your chicks on the What Breed or Gender Is This board https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this At what age you can tell depends on the individual chick and breed, some chicks you can tell pretty early, others keep you guessing for a long time... until they crow or lay eggs.

 

[Happy Chooks]

It should be pretty easy by now. Post pictures in the breed/gender section.

 

[2go2scotland]

OK--I'll try to get some pictures and do just that. Thank you for the suggestion. Really hoping they aren't little roos--but, we'll see. Right now, our rooster, King Arthur tolerates them in the flock and even sits beside them--he also helped feed them when they were younger. So, wishfully--I'm hoping he'd allow them to stay!

 

[2go2scotland]

Okay--I tried to get pictures of at least two of the chickens. They are almost 9 weeks old in these pictures. I doubt you can tell--they wouldn't stand still! But--any hope of being able to guess if either of them is a rooster? (Dad is a Speckled Sussex and Mom is either a Black Australop or a Blue Maran>)

 

[Happy Chooks]

If they are both 12 weeks, those are both pullets.

 

[2go2scotland]

Thanks so much. I thought so too--sadly, tonight when I counted chickens in the barn--one of these babies is missing. Not a good sign.

I'll have to take a picture of the other two--I think one is a little rooster and I just want to see if I am able to tell. WIll try to take their picture tomorrow--so give a look and let me know what you think.

Thanks so much!