how early can you tell if a chick is male or female?

[PurplePoppiPpl]

i have 21 week old chicks and really want to know which ones are hens... i can only keep 1 rooster

 

[cutipatooti]

It depends on the breed

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

It depends on the breed

x2

Most of the time it will take about 3 weeks, and also the variety, too. Example would be Black Breasted Red OEG's, the roos have a black chest, but the hens don't.

 

[PurplePoppiPpl]

ooo i have buff orpingtons, ameracauna, speckled sussex, and silver laced wyandotte....

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

BO's are a little harder to sex because they're just big buffs, all the same color.


Though, roosters have sickle feathers (shiny curved feathers on the tail) and pointy hackles ( feathers at the base of the neck) and hens have the opposite.

I think speckled Sussex chickens are a little easier to sex because the roosters usually have a darker brown plumage, I noticed.