Buying chickens from a buy/swap/trade

[SycamoreSilkies]

No idea on how to tell sex of silkies or polish. Any tips on what to look for in telling the diff between male/female?

In young birds it is pretty impossible to tell... In birds the same age, obviously bigger combs - boys, crest rounder in girls (usually...), If a few stray feathers sticking out of crest would be suspicious of boy (but as new feathers come in, it can be tricky)... In younger birds, a big indicator is behavior... The cute bird with the great personality that stands up straight, turns it's head sideways and looks at you and makes eye contact... Yep, that one's a boy... Good luck! And quarantine (I like 6 weeks, and that is really not a sure thing... Birds can have illnesses lie dormant for a LONG time... Months...)

 

[Folly's place]

I take birds to the local auction sometimes, and stay to talk to potential buyers, and other folks selling birds. I NEVER would buy a chicken, calf, or goat there, because I'm paranoid about bringing diseases home, especially diseases that don't go away.
It's fun to see who's there, and the variety of critters offered, but not to come home with any.
When I get home, everything I'm wearing, including shoes, goes into the washer immediately.
Mary

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'd ask about Mareks vaccinations, just me though, I don't want an unvaccinated animal in my flock. Just my $.02

 

[andreanar]

So, I went to the swap thing. Nothing there I wanted until the end. A lady had 5 week old silkie , frizzle chicks. I talked with her awhile. Looked over the chickies. Bright eyed, clean butts, no bugs on them. She had electrolytes/probiotics in their water. The chicks were friendly, obviously been handled. I took them home with me. She gave me water and some feed for the ride home, and gave me her phone number in case I had any questions. I felt good about her.
The chicks are at my house, my chicken coop is at my sisters house, so they will not come into contact. I will keep them here for the next few weeks and watch them for sickness. My chicken shoes stay at the coop and I will be sure to wear clean clothes and have clean hands before visiting my coop. I have to separate an area of my coop and run for the chicks. So I can do the "see but don't touch integration". I made a post under the sex and breed forum if you guys wanna take a look.