Chicks and Sexing

[livlogik]

Hello everyone I finally got my chicks but I had a quick question.

When and how would be the best way to see the chicks to make sure we don't have roosters.

They are about 2 weeks old.

I'm not sure what breeds.

My sister is a school teacher and they hatched them and I have taken care of hens a long time ago but never chicks but she gave them to me.

Thanks!

Zach

 

[Intuit]

A little more information would help what are the breeds or breed? How old are they, and do you have any pictures?

 

[nuthatched]

Where'd you get them? Do you have pictures?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some crosses are sex linked and a few breeds are auto sexing. So what do you know about their parentage? What breeds are they?

There are different clues as to sex that can be displayed at different ages. Many of these are clues as to what they might be instead of something definitive. The younger they are the harder this is. In some ways it may be more of an art than a science. Experience certainly helps.

Boys tend to develop combs and wattles earlier than girls and those are often red as compared to pink or yellow for the girls. Boys tend to stand upright while the girls often bend over more. Boys tend to have thicker legs than girls. Boys are usually bolder and come out to meet you while the girls stay back. These may develop at any age.

Once they hit 3 months boys may show pointy saddle or hackle feathers. The girls don't have much for saddle or hackle feathers and what they have are rounded, not pointy.

I suggest at 5 weeks of age you post photos on here. One photo a close-up of the head, showing comb and wattles. Another photo of the same chick showing legs and posture. Five weeks is not always old enough but it often is. I've had a very few chicks I could sex within a few days of hatch, especially boys. I had one I thought was a girl until he turned 15 weeks old. It's not always easy.

Some, like Silkies, are really hard. Breeds with pea combs tend to be harder. Some can be really easy.

 

[livlogik]

A little more information would help what are the breeds or breed? How old are they, and do you have any pictures?

Sorry wasn't sure if there is a generic way of figuring it out. I'll post some pictures in the OP.

I'm not sure what breeds.

My sister is a school teacher and they hatched them and I have taken care of hens a long time ago but never chicks but she gave them to me.

They are about 2 weeks old.

 

[livlogik]

Some crosses are sex linked and a few breeds are auto sexing. So what do you know about their parentage? What breeds are they?

There are different clues as to sex that can be displayed at different ages. Many of these are clues as to what they might be instead of something definitive. The younger they are the harder this is. In some ways it may be more of an art than a science. Experience certainly helps.

Boys tend to develop combs and wattles earlier than girls and those are often red as compared to pink or yellow for the girls. Boys tend to stand upright while the girls often bend over more. Boys tend to have thicker legs than girls. Boys are usually bolder and come out to meet you while the girls stay back. These may develop at any age.

Once they hit 3 months boys may show pointy saddle or hackle feathers. The girls don't have much for saddle or hackle feathers and what they have are rounded, not pointy.

I suggest at 5 weeks of age you post photos on here. One photo a close-up of the head, showing comb and wattles. Another photo of the same chick showing legs and posture. Five weeks is not always old enough but it often is. I've had a very few chicks I could sex within a few days of hatch, especially boys. I had one I thought was a girl until he turned 15 weeks old. It's not always easy.

Some, like Silkies, are really hard. Breeds with pea combs tend to be harder. Some can be really easy.

Sound good thank you! I included the age and info and also pictures and I'll post more when they are about 5 weeks old.