Growth Time-Line

[kenh2010]

I'm six weeks into my very first batch of chicks. Been way more fun than I ever expected! So far everything has gone well without a hitch except for a broken toenail the other day. I was wondering if anyone would have a minute to post a time line as to the development of chicks into pullets. I don't seem to have a good idea as to when they for instance

1. Grow wattles/combs
2. Grow mature feathers
3. Crow
4. Make adult chicken noises (clucking etc. - mine still just peep)
5. Spur growth
6. Etc.

I must admit, my main concern is trying to determine the gender of our babies since we live in a community that does not allow roosters. I have SLWs, Golden Sex Links and White Crested Black Polish.

The Wyandottes are all looking the same except for one, which is smaller with a more blackish colored comb area compared to the other three which have a more orange colored comb area. The Polish look the same except for the crest configration - just shaped differently and one is a little larger. The GSLs of course are no problem gender wise. Just wondering when I'll know for sure what genders they are. Thanks for your help if you know what kind of develpment time line we can expect.

Ken

 

[flying_babyb]

Im a new chicken keeper too so I dont know everything but I will try and help.
1. Grow wattles/combs- mine grew head combs around 4 weeks ish.
2. Grow mature feathers- Mine just started getting theres at week 6.
3. Crow/ Make adult chicken noises (clucking etc. - mine still just peep) I read on a thread on here that its around 8 weeks that they begin to try making adult noises.

I must admit, my main concern is trying to determine the gender of our babies since we live in a community that does not allow roosters. I have SLWs, Golden Sex Links and White Crested Black Polish.
We also have this issue. Im at 6 weeks and cant figure out what the heck mine are. I dont even know what breed they are,lol. I bet if you posted pictures on here someone may be able to take a guess at gender. I know I read a thread on here about holding a chicken up by the nape of its neck and depending on what its legs did it would determine the sex.

 

[kenh2010]

Thanks flying-babyb. Sounds like we're in the same boat! Wish you the best with yours too!

My two GSLs at 6 weeks are just starting to develop very small combs, which they love to have rubbed. I know of course that they are females. The ones that have me confused are the Wyandottes - they act all tough and jump at each other. There are no combs developing on any of them yet. Same with the Polish. Hopefully that is a good sign. Will try to post some pictures later to see if anyone has any input. We bought 8 anticipating that a couple might die since we are new to this, but they have all thrived. Fortunately we made arrangements for 2 to go to a friends home in the country if they turned out to be roosters or if we have too many females. Just trying to figure them out so we can make that decision before we move them out to the coop in a couple of weeks.

Ken

 

[flying_babyb]

we got a friend who would LOVE to take a roo or two for us but were hoping to be roo free, since the kids grew rather attached (ok, its me, im very attached). My main worry now is that eventully they have to go out to the coop (that we need to build). My mom (who shares the basement with me) says we cant keep even one chicken in the house (darn!) even though mine will fight the cats! lol