I was having a bad day after losing two more chicks this weekend and caved to the TSC chick bins. I took my chances with the barred rock "straight run" bin... yikes. Fingers crossed. For reference, their chicks come from Mt. Healthy Hatchery.
I have read on here today that:
-males have darker down,
-females have darker down;
-females have regular-shaped head spots, none or very large;
-females have dark wash down their legs...
And yet, when I look at the photos from my first batch of hatchery-sexed BR pullets, they are so very much nonconforming to the rules on this forum that I feel hopeful that I got 2 pullets as intended. I had to buy 6, so I have some wiggle room here. I'm just hoping I got at least two pullets.
I know very well that it's impossible to tell and I will know well enough as the wing feathers start to come in, I just wanted to see what everyone else thinks. I'll add a picture of my definite girls, My Pet Chicken BRs 2009, for comparison purposes. I would love to see pics of your day-olds as well to compare.


The absolutely for sure ladies at 1 day old/arrival:

I have read on here today that:
-males have darker down,
-females have darker down;
-females have regular-shaped head spots, none or very large;
-females have dark wash down their legs...
And yet, when I look at the photos from my first batch of hatchery-sexed BR pullets, they are so very much nonconforming to the rules on this forum that I feel hopeful that I got 2 pullets as intended. I had to buy 6, so I have some wiggle room here. I'm just hoping I got at least two pullets.
I know very well that it's impossible to tell and I will know well enough as the wing feathers start to come in, I just wanted to see what everyone else thinks. I'll add a picture of my definite girls, My Pet Chicken BRs 2009, for comparison purposes. I would love to see pics of your day-olds as well to compare.
The absolutely for sure ladies at 1 day old/arrival: