How to explain chicken sex to young children

[Rodrad]

Something broad such as "oh, it happens inside before the shell is formed" would be an appropriate answer. He would probably be interested to know that the chicken has to "make" the egg and it doesn't just pop out eggs whole and complete

Thank you Isadora,
I think this is the way I will answer!

 

[Rodrad]

Hope he doesn’t ask me “how that happens inside”!

 

[Iluveggers]

Hope he doesn’t ask me “how that happens inside”!

You could just say, “I’ve never been inside a chicken, but whatever happens it seems to work!”

 

[citymeetscountry]

My kids were 5 and 7 when we got our chickens. But when my son was 6 before we moved here he already had a basic “idea” of mating. He knows it’s what animals do do have babies. He did ask me last fall if all animals mates by the male jumping in the females back since he said he knew that’s how frogs did it and he saw turtles do it that way. This was before our chickens were mating.
Honestly I think you’re overthinking it. I would suggest asking your daughter how she wants you to handle it out of respect for her and her parenting, but honesty and simple answers are fine.
My 6 year old daughter got a bit upset when she saw the ducks mating the other day but as soon as I told her they were mating she was ok with it. But I don’t blame her, duck mating isn’t for the faint of heart.

 

[bill3607]

Just be honest. If the questions go deeper then pull up the egg making process online and explain it. She will quite possibly get bored fairly quick. Always be honest. A 6 year old has probably already saw more than you think

 

[aart]

In general I agree with your opinion. But, I am pretty sure my grandson will ask how the egg is fertilized being in the shell. So, then it really becomes quite difficult to explain details how the chicken egg gets fertilized.

I think it's explained in this excellent video, which is worth watching regardless:

 

[Chickassan]

Leapfrog, but the roosters are terrible at it.
Yeah I'm not getting more scientific than that with kids.

 

[Rodrad]

I think it's explained in this excellent video, which is worth watching regardless:

Wow, Aart that is an excellent video.
thank you for sharing!

Rod

 

[Rodrad]

My kids were 5 and 7 when we got our chickens. But when my son was 6 before we moved here he already had a basic “idea” of mating. He knows it’s what animals do do have babies. He did ask me last fall if all animals mates by the male jumping in the females back since he said he knew that’s how frogs did it and he saw turtles do it that way. This was before our chickens were mating.
Honestly I think you’re overthinking it. I would suggest asking your daughter how she wants you to handle it out of respect for her and her parenting, but honesty and simple answers are fine.
My 6 year old daughter got a bit upset when she saw the ducks mating the other day but as soon as I told her they were mating she was ok with it. But I don’t blame her, duck mating isn’t for the faint of heart.

Btw, is duck mating more “rough” than chicken mating?

 

[citymeetscountry]

Btw, is duck mating more “rough” than chicken mating?

Uhm yes...drakes have a corkscrew penis and are capable of drowning a hen during mating or even participating in gang rape