How Old Do Banties Need to Be Before You Can Tell What Sex They Are?

[Lady Who]

https://chickensforbackyards.com/

I got sexed Bantam from them and they were all female.
BTW Cochins are awsome

 

[MROO]

There is a hatchery that sells sexed bantams. Really not sure off of the top of my head. I think it may be mypetchicken.

Purely Poultry offers sexed bantams, but I've never used them and don't know anyone else who has. Maybe someone here can chime in?

 

[AmyJane725]

Cochin are pretty easy at just a few weeks.

Oh good. What characteristics do you look for in order to sex? Comb development/color? Feathers?

 

[AmyJane725]

https://chickensforbackyards.com/

I got sexed Bantam from them and they were all female.
BTW Cochins are awsome

I'm glad to hear that. I've heard/read that they're like feathered dogs. All snuggly and whatnot.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The boys combs come in very early. Usually you can tell by 4 weeks old who is what gender.

I'm glad to hear that. I've heard/read that they're like feathered dogs. All snuggly and whatnot.

They are very sweet birds. I have not found them to be cuddly like a lap dog but mine have all been nice. We don't try to cuddle the birds.

Mine will follow me around and are always curious about what I am doing.
My cochin bantams tend to be my longest lives birds too. I have a 9 and a 10 year old right now.

Finding the colors I would want to add in sexed day olds is impossible.
I do hope you post your birds and what the female to male ratio ends up being.

I have been very tempted to order from Ideal......I am not allowed rooster here so it would be very stressful on me. I would have a terrible time finding homes for the fellas.

 

[AmyJane725]

I have been very tempted to order from Ideal......I am not allowed rooster here so it would be very stressful on me. I would have a terrible time finding homes for the fellas.

This stresses me out too, but there are quite a few people around here who keep chickens, and I feel like some of the feed stores here might even take them if I give them for free. I need to make some calls.

 

[Lady Who]

^^ what 21hrns-incharge said

Well, my oldest Cochin is a snuggle bunny and is super smart. She learned to follow inside when I walk in. I normally I just give her a treat and put her back out.
All my Cochins are sweet and don’t have a mean bone in their body, Even the roo. They don’t really dig holes like my other chickens.. they move the top layer of leafs

The only down side. I have ever seen is, they can’t really fend for themselves so make sure you have good protection. The hens (I have) are low to the ground so I have a path stone next to the feeder so they can reach the food better

 

[AmyJane725]

^^ what 21hrns-incharge said

Well, my oldest Cochin is a snuggle bunny and is super smart. She learned to follow inside when I walk in. I normally I just give her a treat and put her back out.
All my Cochins are sweet and don’t have a mean bone in their body, Even the roo. They don’t really dig holes like my other chickens.. they move the top layer of leafs

The only down side. I have ever seen is, they can’t really fend for themselves so make sure you have good protection. The hens (I have) are low to the ground so I have a path stone next to the feeder so they can reach the food better

I have excellent protection, so no worries there.
And how cute as far as getting them up to the feeder. I may keep my chick feeder and have it as an option for them.

Do your banties use adult sized grit or chick grit?

 

[Lady Who]

Before my new rooster, I use to use a dog bowl (the kind with the wide bottom so it doesn’t flip) my Cochin rooster seems to love dance in so I had to change it

As adults I mix my grit. Iv seen them eat both sized.
But baby need chick grit
For me atless my Cochins can’t really eat the big chunks of oyster shells (the kind from TS) so I spend a little bit of money getting the Oyster shells from Scratch and Peck. They are smaller and have never had problems after I switched

 

[AmyJane725]

Before my new rooster, I use to use a dog bowl (the kind with the wide bottom so it doesn’t flip) my Cochin rooster seems to love dance in so I had to change it

As adults I mix my grit. Iv seen them eat both sized.
But baby need chick grit
For me atless my Cochins can’t really eat the big chunks of oyster shells (the kind from TS) so I spend a little bit of money getting the Oyster shells from Scratch and Peck. They are smaller and have never had problems after I switched

I can just see him in there now, feet flying

Thanks for the tip. I'm contemplating going to TS today, and the shell I was planning on buying have been mentioned in the reviews as having large pieces, so I might need to rethink that. Or just smash them up smaller before offering them...