/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.

how old??

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by mike kirby, Jul 26, 2007.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jul 26, 2007 #1
    mike kirby

    mike kirby In the Brooder

    28
    1
    22
    Jul 22, 2007
    how old do your chickens have to be before they show signs of being male or female!!!
    nd what should i be lookin out for??

    thanx mike
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2007
  2. Jul 26, 2007 #2
    hatchcrazzzy

    hatchcrazzzy Songster

    1,216
    3
    179
    Jun 8, 2007
    kemp texas
    about 6 weeks
     
  3. Jul 26, 2007 #3
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

    21,494
    255
    393
    Jan 25, 2007
    Everett WA/Corvallis OR
    It varies between breeds. 6 weeks is good for most. I can sex leghorns based on combs at 3 weeks but for the life of me, not figure out silkies till about 2 months! And that is often just a guess....
     
  4. Jul 26, 2007 #4
    rosyposyosy

    rosyposyosy Songster

    1,001
    0
    169
    Jul 11, 2007
    my friend just bought a male with her order, and in my opinion you can tell, at a profile he has a bigger comb than all of the pullets hes apx 4 days
     
  5. Jul 26, 2007 #5
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

    21,494
    255
    393
    Jan 25, 2007
    Everett WA/Corvallis OR
    Yeah, single comb varieties are very easy to tell... but at 4 days... especially if you have only a few birds or different types, it could be a hen still. Or some of those small combed girls can be guys that are late bloomers. A Leghorn pullet as a day old chick will have a visible comb while a silkie roo or other walnut/ pea/rose comb bird at the same age, will have just a flat spot on their heads or a tiny bump.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: