How do you sex baby chicks?

[australorp_breeder]

I know there are ways such as looking at their vents, feathers, or heads. I think it's females have more oval heads, and males more round. Anyways, I need to learn how to sex chicks. Any way/method will be helpful. I tried vent sexing one time and I felt bad because I squeezed the chick, lol! Never tried it that way again.

 

[LarryPQ]

Unless the chicken is bred to be a sexlink, or bred to be feather-sexed at hatch, the only means of sexing is vent-sexing. Other observations about size, color, shape, etc is pretty much open to error.

 

[new chick 203]

which varieties can be sexed by color, and which can be feather sexed?

 

[LarryPQ]

That is a long, involved reply. SO, as I will probably mess it up, I will have to just cop out with a "do a search".

Wikipedia also has a basic chart on sex-links.

 

[gmendoza]

With my chicks I first check if they have a star on their heads.Its usually a spash of their color(i.e. white or black or etc..). Next I use the "old farmer" method.You get your chick,make sure its at least 2-4 days old,grab it by the scruff.If it just dangles,then its a hen,if it brings its legs up in a twitching/fit sort of motion,its a roo.It has worked 100% for me.

 

[MN Chicken]

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