Gender guesses on PR and LS chicks

[everyday_farmlife]

Hey
I know it's way to early to tell really, but thought the guessing game would be fun as this is a new line of sussex I'm developing with my son, hopefully destined for future showing
This is the first time we have hatched out plymouth rocks too so we are documenting to try and pick what genders are what at an earlier stage (in future hatches, although I'm thinking most of these are roos , we have another dozen of full siblings in the inky) also on a wait list for eggs from really good show quality stock we will be breeding between the 2 lines to hopefully produce our own line

 

[Tookie]

No obvious cockerels, its a bit early to tell though. Update in a couple more weeks.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

4 week photo update
I'm so not confident that any of the rocks are pullets they spar a lot as do the sussexs
I will post some photos of LS BT #2 on Friday as they hatched a little later than the others

 

[Tookie]

I'm thinking the BR pictures with red around it is the only pullet, too young to know for sure though.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

I'm thinking the BR pictures with red around it is the only pullet, too young to know for sure though.

I agree
I took them over to the breeder who has been breeding this line for the last 6 years and she said she is 99% sure the red one is the only pullet.
I will keep updating photos though as we actually need a rooster also, so we should get a good one out of the blue or white tag. Yellow tag is NOT staying he is nasty has been since 3 days old attacks your hand everytime it goes in the cage without fail and it isn't just a little peck anymore, it's a full on bite.

 

[Tookie]

I agree
I took them over to the breeder who has been breeding this line for the last 6 years and she said she is 99% sure the red one is the only pullet.
I will keep updating photos though as we actually need a rooster also, so we should get a good one out of the blue or white tag. Yellow tag is NOT staying he is nasty has been since 3 days old attacks your hand everytime it goes in the cage without fail and it isn't just a little peck anymore, it's a full on bite.

Yeah, that's too bad you have so many cockerels.
What will you do with the extra cockerels?

 

[everyday_farmlife]

Yeah, that's too bad you have so many cockerels.
What will you do with the extra cockerels?

Well depends on how many of the 28 due to hatch this week turn out as cockerals and on how many of the sussex are. From my limited experience with this line, 90% sure at least 4 of the 5 are cockeral also so if that's the case we will most likely grow them out, select the best to keep for the breeding pen then process the ones who don't make the cut.

 

[Tookie]

Well depends on how many of the 28 due to hatch this week turn out as cockerals and on how many of the sussex are. From my limited experience with this line, 90% sure at least 4 of the 5 are cockeral also so if that's the case we will most likely grow them out, select the best to keep for the breeding pen then process the ones who don't make the cut.

Were going to cull two cockerels tonight, I wish we didn't have to but we really don't have a choice.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

Were going to cull two cockerels tonight, I wish we didn't have to but we really don't have a choice.

It is harder when they are pleasantly natured. At least you have them the best life they could possibly have, unlike the meat at the shop, where you have no idea how it was raised.
This will be the first year we process on our own so will be an interesting experience.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

Updated photos
5 weeks old
LS Blue tag #02, Yellow Tag #01 &#02 and PR Blue, Yellow & White tag have all found new homes
Any gender guesses on the 2 Light Sussexs?
Thanks