How old do you think these RIR chicks are?

[Anthony-Smith]

Hey y'all!

Just picked up some RIR straight run chicks at the Tractor Supply. I wanted to feather sex them, but it looks like they have all already developed the feathers on their wings.

Outside of vent sexing, is there anything else I can do to get a guess as to the sex of the chicks?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

I'm guessing 5-7 days old. I don't think that RIR can be feather sexed. RIR cockerels in my experience show relatively early comb development.

 

[Chandlerharris]

I would guess a week and a half ish? but only because it’s fresh on my mind. Got some in the brooder right now that are 5 ish weeks old. Here is a pic of mine on March 12th and they were hatched March 1st. I also tried some “old school” way of sexing since this was straight run and the one that I’m guessing male based on that does have a more pronounced comb than the other. Time will tell!

 

[Chandlerharris]

Yours actually may be younger than in my pic cause I’m seeing now mind have the back and tail feathers you don’t. I’d guess a week-ish to be safe!

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I’d say a week based on the photos of mine at that age

 

[Anthony-Smith]

I'm guessing 5-7 days old. I don't think that RIR can be feather sexed. RIR cockerels in my experience show relatively early comb development.

Roughly how old will they be when this occurs?

 

[Chandlerharris]

I’ll tell you what I read people used to do is hang the chick by the scruff of its neck (skin not bone!!) and SUPPOSEDLY if the chick lets its legs hang it’s a boy and if it draws them up it’s a girl. Who knows if it works. Mine that let it’s legs hang is getting the larger comb. Oh well if it’s wrong! It was fun to experiment

 

[Artichoke Lover]

Roughly how old will they be when this occurs?

Somewhat depends on the bird. One of mine started showing a comb at 3 weeks while the other didn’t start showing a clearly male comb until 11 weeks.