Expert Problem Re: Sexing and Feed

[linuxusr]

Before you switch out the males for females be sure of the age of the females. If there seem to be shady dealings as a possibility and you're a bit new to chickens, they may give you 2-3 year old (or older) hens that are about to stop or slow down laying. Be sure that the females they give you are less than 1 year old. Better would be less than 6 months. A few of each would be fine. They likely wont do a 1-1 swap with pullet to cockerel because that would be unfair to them unless they promised the cockerel they gave you was a pullet.

Hopefully, my "expert" friend will be able to determine age. But it would be nice if I could independently corroborate. I think a member mentioned here that the female's comb deepens in color when she ovulates. Could I safely assume, then, that if the combs and wattles are pinkish and undeveloped as they are in my four females that are about 2.5-3 months old, that I'd be safe?

 

[Painted Calls]

Hopefully, my "expert" friend will be able to determine age. But it would be nice if I could independently corroborate. I think a member mentioned here that the female's comb deepens in color when she ovulates. Could I safely assume, then, that if the combs and wattles are pinkish and undeveloped as they are in my four females that are about 2.5-3 months old, that I'd be safe?

Yes, that would be your safest bet. I wouldn't trust your "expert" friend to sex any more birds.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Hopefully, my "expert" friend will be able to determine age. But it would be nice if I could independently corroborate. I think a member mentioned here that the female's comb deepens in color when she ovulates. Could I safely assume, then, that if the combs and wattles are pinkish and undeveloped as they are in my four females that are about 2.5-3 months old, that I'd be safe?

Yes, that is a good way to do it, I'd say.

 

[Painted Calls]

Like someone previously mentioned, you can take pics and post them here before making a deal if you like.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well very few of us are experts at 2-3 week chicks. Mistakes do happen.

Young pullets will look like yours, year old birds will look older. Two + year birds will look old in their feet and beaks. But after that, you really cannot correctly age a chicken, unless you know.

 

[Danielpn]

Wow! There are six in the top pic clearly visible, one is standing on boxes and cannot be seen, one can be seen but you cannot see the wattles or comb because s(he) is preening.

Are you including the one who is preening as male, total of 7, or only the 6 clearly visible, total of 6?

So it looks like our friend is right, that we have more males than females. As we want laying hens, it looks like we need to reverse the ratio. Our friend wants to swap out 3 males for 3 adult females. Do you think we should do it? I know it's an individual decision but I'd like your input, pros and cons.

Thanks much.

Swapping healthy, laying hens for unwanted roosters is a no-brainer.

 

[Iluveggers]

This has turned out to be an extremely informative thread. I hope we get to see the new chickens after the switch! Good luck!

 

[linuxusr]

This has turned out to be an extremely informative thread. I hope we get to see the new chickens after the switch! Good luck!

Thank you! Unfortunately, we have to take what we can get! Options are more limited in the city than in the country. Fortunately, zoning and restriction rules don't exist! You can hear crowing throughout the capital!The last we heard was that this owner doesn't want to swap them, he wants to sell females, the cost being per pound!! Our first step will be to look at them and check age and health. If either is a problem, forget it! This being a poor country, many birds are underfed and not healthy. . .

Sure, I'll update!

 

[linuxusr]

Like someone previously mentioned, you can take pics and post them here before making a deal if you like.

Good idea and thanks.

 

[aart]

Swapping healthy, laying hens for unwanted roosters is a no-brainer.

Not sure who would do that tho.