Chicken gender help (Australia)

[rural mouse]

Thank you all I really appreciate it.

One last question: since the 7-week-old chicks are likely cockerels, should I avoid introducing them to the main coop, which currently houses one adult rooster and six adult hens? I'm trying to figure out a suitable place to keep them until they’re rehomed, as their current cage is getting quite cramped with how quickly they’re growing.

Rooboy.

If they're offspring off the current roo, should do fairly well. Even if not, should do ok for a while. Generally, when a broody hen abandons her chicks, the roo steps in and takes over teaching them good manners. I try to raise all babies in the coop whether they're broody hatched or incubator hatched. The younger they are, the easier the integration. If I could figure out a way to run the incubator in the coop, I would.

 

[Appielover]

If they're offspring off the current roo, should do fairly well. Even if not, should do ok for a while. Generally, when a broody hen abandons her chicks, the roo steps in and takes over teaching them good manners. I try to raise all babies in the coop whether they're broody hatched or incubator hatched. The younger they are, the easier the integration. If I could figure out a way to run the incubator in the coop, I would.

Rural mouse, you sound like me!
Into the main coop asap. I currently have 6x 4.5week olds in a brooder that will go into the main coop at around 8 weeks. It's getting quite cold here overnight (0C) so I'll keep them in the brooder a bit longer.. I much prefer to have a broody hen rear them...

 

[Seaslug]

Just wanted to say that you may want to check photos of your Australorp hens (if you have any) from when they were this age. In my limited experience all Australorps develop large combs and wattles early on. Color may be more indicative of gender than size in this case.

 

[Finchbreeder]

When the parents were breeding show chooks here in West Aust, they were almost always parent raised in outside pens.
We are a bit warmer here on the west coast at times but - 16C at 10-21AM this fine Saturday morning.

 

[Appielover]

When the parents were breeding show chooks here in West Aust, they were almost always parent raised in outside pens.
We are a bit warmer here on the west coast at times but - 16C at 10-21AM this fine Saturday morning.

Twas only 8C here at that time this morning! Only 2C overnight.... brr

 

[Finchbreeder]

My brother lives in Melbourne and says at least every 2nd month that it is "beeping" cold and he is looking forward to retiring back to WA in about 10yrs.

 

[Rose Quartz]

you shouldn't have any trouble with the roo and cockerel's together until the young boys are 15+ weeks.

Also your young ones can already be off heat.

 

[Rooboy11]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Sea slug you have thrown a spanner in the works for my two suspected cockerels!