Can you tell the sex of a young chicken by its behaviour?

[rachelb]

I have 4 young birds who are 9 weeks old and of mixed breeds. I have been watching them recently and there are definitely two who are more adventuruous than the others and quite often stand up to each other, necks puffed out and what I would only term as "cock fight" each other on their tip toes.

Is this normal behaviour for a hen of this age or is there some evidence from this behaviour that these two are cocks?

Other than this, their combs are a little bigger but nothing else is really apparent.

p.s. at what age can I think about roast chicken if this is the case and I have 2 ROOS!!

Rachel

 

[SproutGirl]

I've seen both hens and roos do this at times. Can you post a photo of the birds? People on the forum can help you try to determine their sex that way.

 

[Happy Chooks]

My pullets did this. They were just establishing the pecking order. It's fun to watch.