New chicks

[utefan_42]

So, I went to pick up some feed, and eneded up bringing home two new chicks. They are supposed to be a barred rock and a black silkie bantam. They were sold straight run, and so after reading on here, I chose the two that had the MOST tail feathers. that was before I new about sexing by head spot on the barred rock. Is it all luck anyways, or is one way of sexing more accurate than another?

 

[TheBuff]

Most hatches are 50/50. Feather sexing don't work to good unless they are bred that way. Only way to tell is by popping out their sex organs in their bottoms. But there again to have to be trained what to look for. The 100% way to tell is after they are 4 weeks or older.

 

[vtsarahb]

I don't know about the silkie, but as far as barred rocks go:

MALES:
lighter in color, more white barring
more irregluarly-shaped white spot on the head
not much black down the front of the legs

FEMALES:
darker, white barring very minimal
dark wash down the front of the legs
more circular-shaped head spot

I could tell my barred rocks apart at 3 weeks this way- also the male's comb was slightly bigger too. Hope this helps- good luck!