Hi, I'm completely new to this chicken thing....I've got 5 bantam chicks just over a week old. When and how will I be able to tell what sex they are? I'm hoping for 3 hens to keep. Any info appreciated.
Look for developing secondary sex charecteristics, and post pictures here if you are uncertain. Combs and wattles will develop on the cockerels sooner than on the pullets, and hackle (neck) and sickle (flank) feathers will become elongated and pointy. Oh yeah, and they will CROW! Just noticed your user name. When I was a kid, I had a pet goose-Yup, Gusgoose.
Check the ENTIRE leg for spur bumps! I talked a vet into providing anesthesia while the two of us (successfully) caponized a silkie roo, only to hear crowing from the pen when he wasn't in it! The other silkie (yep, two out of two) had spurs I didn't see, because they were on the UNDERSIDE of the leg! No, caponizing does not stop crowing. It does decrease it, and decreases aggressiveness. It's not as easy as the old manuals make it sound!!!
