early signs of gender in mixed breed chicks?

[dftkarin]

I have 7 completely mut chicks from a chicken farm far away from my house - (someone gave me the eggs and my broody hatched them) and they are cute but don't look anything like the pure breed chicks I had last year - so I have no idea what to expect with these cuties. What should I look for to determine there sexes? Are there universal generic signs that a chick might be a male or female? Besides the eventual crowing? More red combs, different types of feathers? I'm new to chickens and only bought sex pullet chicks last year.

 

[Mahonri]

I think you've got it down. Size of legs, redness of comb, type of tail feathers... the first tell tale signs of a roo.

 

[Gonzo]

I agree with Mahonri! But you could still post pics...We Love babie pics!

 

[chicky gal1]

Type of tail feathers...

I think the roos grow their tail feathers quite slowly. Someone correct me itf I'm wrong please

 

[ClairedeLune]

I thought feathering in more slowly was also a sign... am I wrong? I have an unknown gender blue cochin/ee chick, not really sure.

 

[elmo]

No idea about the gender question, but those are nice looking chickens you have there. I've read about "hybrid vigor," sometimes the "mutts" really are healthier and stronger.

Mine are hybrids, too. One is a Serama/D'Uccle cross, the others are Serama/OE Game bantams.

I'm very interested in gender, also, since we are not legally allowed to keep roosters. We're already so attached to all these chicks it's going to be very difficult to rehome the guys.

 

[dftkarin]

They all seem equally feathered out to me, but some have funny "tufts" of feathers on their tails - like you see the skinny base of the feathers for a centemeter and then the feathery feathers appear - its a funny look (I can't get a good picture yet) - is THAT the different with tail feathers? And what means what when it comes to tail feathers?

 

[amysflock]

I'm curious about this, too. I lost my whole flock to a coyote in mid-May but a friend hatched the remaining fertile eggs we had, and I'm now brooding 19 10-day old chicks. Most have their little tiny new tail feathers starting, but a few still have fluffy baby butts. But then again, some have really stocky, thick legs and others don't. My roo was a Black Australorp and the hens were Red Stars, Black Stars and Easter Eggers...so, all the babies are second generation mutt.

 

[TexasVet]

I'm never for sure until they're about 6 weeks old. By then the pullet's bodies are fully feathered... the roos still have down on the bows of the wings and down the back. So if they're feathering slowing in those areas and have any other rooster signs (pecking at me, larger spur nubs, larger comb), I know I'm looking at a future dinner.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com