How do you know for sure?

[Crickett]

When I git my chicks, someone told me that if you pick them up by the head and the feet go up then it is a roo, but if the feet hang down, then it's a pullet:/. Someone else said that if the wing tips are longer than the rest of the wing it's a pullet, and if the tips are all even, then it's a roo:/. How can you really tell for sure?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

I would recommend NOT doing those methods of sexing, especially with the head. I have heard of people that have lost chicks because of that method.

The wing sexing method is do-able but only for certain breeds.

The best way is to wait, or order your chicks as pullets (or cockerels). If they are straight run, then there really is no way until about 4-6 weeks of age.

 

[warmfuzzies]

I tried the head thing, and my chick started acting all weird and floppy, and the next day it died. When I picked it up it was VERY obvious its neck was broken. My DH swears it was from holding it by its head. I dont know, but I aint doin' it again!