I need some help!

[Henpeckedrooster]

Hi guys, I’m new to the forums and new to chook keeping.
I’m from Melbourne, Australia and have been given some chicks that they believe are about 4 weeks old.
the issues I have is.. I don’t know the breed and I don’t know what sex any of these birds are.
I’ve tried researching how to tell the sex but at this age and with the unknown breed I’m shooting in the dark.
I’d love some help in identifying a possible breed.
Thanks in advance from a novice chook keeper

 

[boskelli1571]

Welcome! Lucky you being given those chicks. Even some of us old timers have trouble sexing birds so don't feel badly.
You say they are about 4 weeks old, I don't see any evidence yet of developing combs etc.
In about 3-4 weeks when they have a mini-molt, you should start to see the differences.
The boys combs will get much bigger than the girls, they will start to develop pointy hackle (neck) feathers and the tail feathers will start to elongate.
And....you may hear they start to crow - it will sound like someones' strangling a squeaky toy..
As for breed, sorry, can't help you there

 

[Gray Farms]

The red ones look like Red Sexlink pullets. The white ones could be several different breeds.

 

[Rammy]

They all look like pullets to me only because from hatching out or raising my own chicks for years, it seems the males start getting color in thier combs and wattles about 3 weeks of age. I know thats not true for all breeds.

 

[Henpeckedrooster]

Welcome! Lucky you being given those chicks. Even some of us old timers have trouble sexing birds so don't feel badly.
You say they are about 4 weeks old, I don't see any evidence yet of developing combs etc.
In about 3-4 weeks when they have a mini-molt, you should start to see the differences.
The boys combs will get much bigger than the girls, they will start to develop pointy hackle (neck) feathers and the tail feathers will start to elongate.
And....you may hear they start to crow - it will sound like someones' strangling a squeaky toy..
As for breed, sorry, can't help you there

thanks mate, I’ll look out for it. I’m sure the neighbours will love that squeaky toy noise

 

[Henpeckedrooster]

They all look like pullets to me only because from hatching out or raising my own chicks for years, it seems the males start getting color in thier combs and wattles about 3 weeks of age. I know thats not true for all breeds.

Thanks for the information, we’ll wait and see. What type of birds do you have mate?

 

[Rammy]

I have Austrolorps, JG, Egyptian Fayoumi, Jubliee Orpington, BLRW, SS, Comets, Lakenvelder, Blue Sumatra, EEs, White Rocks, Buff Cochins, OEGH, Silkies, Blue Cochin, Splash Cochin, Porcielin D'Uccle, Americaunas, CL, Colombian Wyandotte, SLW, Production Blacks, RIR.

 

[Henpeckedrooster]

I have Austrolorps, JG, Egyptian Fayoumi, Jubliee Orpington, BLRW, SS, Comets, Lakenvelder, Blue Sumatra, EEs, White Rocks, Buff Cochins, OEGH, Silkies, Blue Cochin, Splash Cochin, Porcielin D'Uccle, Americaunas, CL, Colombian Wyandotte, SLW, Production Blacks, RIR.

Personally I don’t think you have enough.... WOW! That’s one hell of a flock!

do they all stay together in a big coop? Or seperately?

 

[Terri McAlinden]

Hi guys, I’m new to the forums and new to chook keeping.
I’m from Melbourne, Australia and have been given some chicks that they believe are about 4 weeks old.
the issues I have is.. I don’t know the breed and I don’t know what sex any of these birds are.
I’ve tried researching how to tell the sex but at this age and with the unknown breed I’m shooting in the dark.
I’d love some help in identifying a possible breed.
Thanks in advance from a novice chook keeper
View attachment 2063844View attachment 2063845View attachment 2063846

I don't know what they are but they are beautiful. The light colored ones have speckles so that is a clue. I once bought an assortment of chicks from a hatchery and it drove me crazy trying to figure out the breed. Many chicks are mixed and their characteristics are not always true to their breed, in other words a chick might have the wrong type of comb or the wrong color legs for its breed. When they are full grown it will be easier to guess.

 

[Gray Farms]

I don't know what they are but they are beautiful. The light colored ones have speckles so that is a clue. I once bought an assortment of chicks from a hatchery and it drove me crazy trying to figure out the breed. Many chicks are mixed and their characteristics are not always true to their breed, in other words a chick might have the wrong type of comb or the wrong color legs for its breed. When they are full grown it will be easier to guess.

They aren't speckled, they are really dirty.