New chicks any idea

[Bruins]

I know too early to tell . But I bought 2 day old brahma pullets . Now I am noticing that the buff is feathering more quickly than the dark . The buff has always has more / longer wing feathers and what seems like the beginning of the tail feathers . The dark has smaller and fewer wing feathers and no little tail feathers even beginning to show . ( all my other chicks seem to have the beginning of tail feathers starting ) . This was the last batch of dark brahma that will be coming in at my local feed store and I want to go and pick up 1 more to replace this one if it is a cockerel . Any ideas .

Buff 5-6 days old Dark 5-6 days old .

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Every chick feathers out at different speeds, but in my experience pullets feather out faster than cockerels, like I said every chick is different so I would not get a replacement until you know for sure. Have fun with your babies!

 

[Spangled]

This was the last batch of dark brahma that will be coming in at my local feed store and I want to go and pick up 1 more to replace this one if it is a cockerel . Any ideas .

Ah. That's such a difficult decision. But since you said, "Any ideas," I'll make a comment.

For me, it's been easier to find a place for a rooster than to find a replacement hen in August/September (but both are difficult). So, buying a back-up pullet or two right now is an easier option by my way of thinking ... especially if you are set on having a Brahma hen.

NOTE: The reason I say a "back-up pullet or two" is because it is better for the pullets at 3-4 months when you find a new home for them if they have a buddy. A lone pullet/hen almost always has trouble settling in to her new flock. It's difficult on the new owners, too, to try to work in a single pullet/hen. But I have no idea of your situation, so whatever works for you is the best idea when it comes down to it. Go with your gut.

But I cannot tell at all if you have pullets or cockerels.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Slow feathering sometimes means cockerel, but it definitely isn't 100% accurate. Your chicks are too young to determine gender on.

 

[BantamLover21]

Slow feathering sometimes means cockerel, but it definitely isn't 100% accurate. Your chicks are too young to determine gender on.

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