Girls Only, but how to tell for newbie?

[jjhere]

First post here so thanks in advance.

Our local ordinance allows us to have hens but no roosters. I've searched and searched but can't find info on how to tell if what we're getting are boys or girls. I know some breeds are sex-linked (right?), but if they are not available in my area (prefer to buy chicks locally) how old must a chick be for its sex to be obvious?

If we do end up with a rooster I'm not sure how we'll find a new home for him.

 

[Buugette]

Most feed mills that carry chicks will have received sexed chicks... you could try there first. You could also order sexed chicks from a hatchery like McMurray. Most do not sex bantam breeds.

Good luck.

D

 

[gritsar]

Hi and welcome to BYC!
If they are not sex links, then most other breeds start to get their secondary sex characteristics in the 4 to 6 week old range.

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Sometimes you have to wait until it crows or lays an egg. If it crows, you can always place an ad on Craigslist or your local feed store. If you give him away for free there is usually no problem with someone wanting him.

Out here there are a lot of farms that will take a free rooster. If someone wants your rooster but they don't have a farm...chances are they want to fight it or eat it. You get to decide to give it to them or not.

Edited to say

 

[Illia]

Really, you can get sexed chicks from feedstores or hatcheries online and you can be pretty sure they will be female.

If you can't or you're not sure, this place is a great place to have your chicks sexed - From 3 weeks to 2 months is how old you can sex most chicks, but sometimes it is even earlier.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

...or you could find someone locally who is thinning out their flock and get some laying hens. Then you'd know for sure!!

Welcome

to the wonderful world of chickens!

 

[stargazer1974]

Quote:
Or even if your feed store doesn't have chicks there to buy, they probably have connections with a hatchery in your area and can order for you. It might save you some shipping fees that way.

Happy chickening!!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

My feed store will take back any sexed pullets that turn out to be a rooster. (mistakes do happen) So just get 1 or 2 more than you think you want just in case.

 

[Chickenfur]

Quote:
it's very hard to tell unless they are sex-linked, so if you don't want sex-links, and you don't want to order from a hatchery, then the best thing to do is to find someone ahead of time that would take some if needed. what state do you live in?

 

[jjhere]

I'm in WA. Went to a feed supply store today and all their chicks come from NM. WA doesn't have many hatcheries due to the weather (that was their take anyway). They said their chicks are 95% guaranteed pullets. One of the breeds was Golden Sex Link; that would mean that they're definitely girls, right? I think we'll just go for it and keep our fingers crossed.