Pointers on sexing Polish Chicks! new pics!!

[erijn5]

Okay, I have purchased some Polish chicks. I need several pointers on how to sex these babies...there fluffy tops have came in nicely, they are 4 wks old. There are a variety of colors...and they are gorgeous! But now what are they?

Please include any pics so I can get a good look on what I'm looking for.. If not any advice would be super. Thanks so much!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I've heard that Polish cockerels have smaller crests than pullets. I never go by this, though.

You're best bet is to wait. You can try to crest sex the babies, but that often give me ALOT of cunfusion I don't need. I tend to wait like everyone else until they are totally feathered out and their top-hats are nice and flowy. At this stage, everyone's head looks around the same. Feathers are starting to 'sprout up' and make them look like males with their dread-locked feathers. Totally not accurate. Be sure to look for the start of wattles/combs. Also look at behavior, like every other chick. People tend to think crest sexing makes the deal a whole lot easier but it is a very misleading method.

ETA: These pics are older than 4 weeks but some examples may bring a clearer mental image.

Okay, not a Polish, but this is my Sultan cockerel at around three months. (Told you I didn't have many pics, didn't I?)

When they are completely feathered out, you my notice the start of drooping tails, pointed saddle/hackle feathers, and the crest is a dead give-a-way.

This is Tosca, the Sultan's daughter, at around 6 weeks. She is Polish X Sultan, but retains the Sultan's smaller crest. Watch in the next few weeks for rounder, dulled but poofy feathers on the body, but mostly the crest. Remember, wait until the top-hats are nice and full, grown out. It takes time before you know for sure.

I hope this was a bit more helpful.

 

[erijn5]

Your chickens are very pretty!! I think this may help....Some of them are already V'ing like the top pic. thank you so much!!

 

[verthandi]

I haven't updated this in ages but see if the photos at the bottom might help you. https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2200-WC_Polish

 

[erijn5]

Quote:
Very informative!!!

Everyone with Polish need to take a look at this page. Your black Polish with the white head is awesome!!! I hope that some of mine will turn out like that!!!

I seem to have gotten a varity, red laced, buff, black, and there even looks to be some black slash....I can't wait for them to grow!!

Thank you!!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Quote:
Very informative!!!

Everyone with Polish need to take a look at this page. Your black Polish with the white head is awesome!!! I hope that some of mine will turn out like that!!!

I seem to have gotten a varity, red laced, buff, black, and there even looks to be some black slash....I can't wait for them to grow!!

Thank you!!

Post pics when possible! They sound lovely! And combs starting to form usually means males at this young age. Wait and see.

 

[erijn5]

Quote:
Very informative!!!

Everyone with Polish need to take a look at this page. Your black Polish with the white head is awesome!!! I hope that some of mine will turn out like that!!!

I seem to have gotten a varity, red laced, buff, black, and there even looks to be some black slash....I can't wait for them to grow!!

Thank you!!

Post pics when possible! They sound lovely! And combs starting to form usually means males at this young age. Wait and see.

I'm on it be back here in little bit!!

 

[erijn5]

Here are a few of the 14 chicks!! Happy Sexing!!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

What a variety you have there! Gosh! They are just precious! Like I said, a bit too soon to sex correctly. Those crests are getting nice and full though. Thanks for sharing. You'll see signs soon enough.

 

[Felicitas]

Your chicks are adorable. That second one looks like Vanilla Ice.

As a new Polish owner, what I am noticing with mine is that some of them have red combs and wattles come in pretty early and some do not. Just like the informative BYC page posted earlier.

Mine are 8 weeks old and I am pretty sure two are males based on the combs and wattles. One has wattles that are already wobbling when he moves. The wattles started to be noticeable about two weeks ago, when they were 6 weeks old.

Keep a close eye on yours, but understand it may still be a while yet before you have a definitive answer.