RIR gender 5 weeks.

[Sloane Chickens]

Hello!
We have 2x 5 week old Rhode Island Red chicks.
They are feathering slow which makes me think boys, but no wattles or combs, so thinking girls? but I’m just curious to know more about how to sex this breed!
Thank you!

*breeder has multiple lines of RIR so nothing has been consistent lol.

 

[JedJackson]

Are you sure these are 5 weeks? I could see 3 weeks maybe on these. Otherwise something is not right. Sexing them won't be accurate, either, if their development is that delayed.

 

[fluffycrow]

Feather sexing doesn’t work unless bred for.

Right now nothing says cockerel, or pullet. Seems like you’ll have to wait a little longer.

These look quite underdeveloped for 5 weeks. Feathering rate is different for almost every chick, but these seem behind in both feathering rate and size

 

[fluffycrow]

Are you sure these are 5 weeks? I could see 3 weeks maybe on these. Otherwise something is not right. Sexing them won't be accurate, either, if their development is that delayed.

Ah, seems like you’ll beat me to it. But yeah, something isn’t adding up

 

[Sloane Chickens]

They were born on Feb 27th and I collected them march 1st. So definitely sure on how old they are!

What could cause underdevelopment ? Both eat, drink, act like regular chicks under broody. No signs of illness (poop etc normal. Active, general noise, nothing excessive etc)

 

[Sloane Chickens]

They were born on Feb 27th and I collected them march 1st. So definitely sure on how old they are!

What could cause underdevelopment ? Both eat, drink, act like regular chicks under broody. No signs of illness (poop etc normal. Active, general noise, nothing excessive etc)

@fluffycrow and @JedJackson sorry, thought I replied to you both but didn’t work lol.

 

[Sloane Chickens]

Side note, my polish chicks who are 3 weeks are growing well. Not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[JedJackson]

They were born on Feb 27th and I collected them march 1st. So definitely sure on how old they are!

What could cause underdevelopment ? Both eat, drink, act like regular chicks under broody. No signs of illness (poop etc normal. Active, general noise, nothing excessive etc)

I'm not sure. If they look healthy and behave normally, then they are probably just very slow growing. They should always have quality feed always available at that age, and it must be high protein, like 20 to 22%. The feed should contain all of the vitamins and minerals necessary.

If they have that, then I would not worry at this point, but I would keep watch on them.

These are too young to say anything about gender. Feather sexing will not work unless it is bred for, as in Amberlinks. You will have to wait until they are bigger and mostly feathered out, which will be late for these ones. Then you start judging by combs and wattles, color and size.

 

[JedJackson]

Side note, my polish chicks who are 3 weeks are growing well. Not sure if that makes a difference.

Could mean it is a genetic thing.

 

[Sloane Chickens]

Could mean it is a genetic thing.

Interesting thank you!