Picking out new baby chicks

[Sisters Farms]

we are going this week to pick out a couple of new baby chicks they are chocolate Orpingtons. Is there anything we should be looking for. Our other chickens were older when we got them so this will be our first time with babies. We have a Chocolate Orpington Rooster and are planning on breeding them

 

[fried green eggs]

Congrats! Pick chicks that are active and healthy looking, clean vents and breathing well. Look for straight toes and beaks that line up well and legs that are the correct color for the breed. Also you may notice that some of the chicks that are the same age have shorter wings and some longer this could help you guess what sex they are but, wing sexing is not a guarantee. Good Luck.

 

[Sisters Farms]

So on the wing sexing which is which. Thank you for the great info. We're so excited to get our baby Orpingtons

 

[Folly's place]

Feather sexing can work if the breeding stock is selected for that trait. Ask the breeder if it works for that particular bloodline. Many birds don't feathersex reliably, so don't be surprised if yours can't be done. Mary

 

[Sisters Farms]

We finally got our new baby Chocolate Orpingtons and also got a cross breed Silie/Cochin. So excited. But don't know if they are male or female

 

[SunnySky]

Can you post pics of the orpingtons?

 

[Sisters Farms]

Can you post pics of the orpingtons?

 

[Sisters Farms]

 

[SunnySky]

They're so cute! If I had to guess I'd say the one in the front is a cockerel and the one in the middle is a pullet. It's very early to tell though. It's been my experience in hatching Orpingtons that the cockerels develop a taller comb very early on. Post a side profile picture in a few more weeks and I can likely tell you with greater certainty. They are adorable though!! Congrats on your new acquisitions!!

 

[Sisters Farms]

They're so cute! If I had to guess I'd say the one in the front is a cockerel and the one in the middle is a pullet. It's very early to tell though. It's been my experience in hatching Orpingtons that the cockerels develop a taller comb very early on. Post a side profile picture in a few more weeks and I can likely tell you with greater certainty. They are adorable though!! Congrats on your new acquisitions!!

Thank you so much. I'll repost in a few weeks