Running out of time! Identifying Gender 11-12 wks

[StephanieRose44]

Just a quick question not sure if it’s ok for this thread but I started them as chicks with Blue Seal Home Fresh Starter Mash, than at about 4 weeks I switched to the same but Crumble. Now than they are 1

 

[StephanieRose44]

Unfinished^^ 11 -13 weeks if anyone is familiar with blue seal or just advice

Just a quick question not sure if it’s ok for this thread but I started them as chicks with Blue Seal Home Fresh Starter Mash, than at about 4 weeks I switched to the same but Crumble. Now than they are 1

in general what and when do I switch their food over to the next stage?

 

[CindyinSD]

The feed bags have age ranges on them. Just use the one appropriate to the age of your birds. When they start laying, I’d switch to an all-flock feed since you have cockerels. A layer feed will have calcium added, which isn’t good for males. If you offer the supplemental calcium separately, the layers will take what they need and the Roos and any pullets that don’t need it yet will leave it alone.

They’ll start laying at around 6 months old depending on the breed and the individual. Their combs and wattles will be well-developed and will become red rather than pink. If you place a hand on their backs they will likely squat, and they’ll do the same for the cockerels. When you see these signs, there will be eggs soon.

I used to dry my eggshells, but I saw people more experienced than I just crushing them up and giving them with any other food scraps they were offering, so that’s what I do now. It seems to work. The important thing is to crush them so they don’t look like eggs to the chickens. Otherwise they may start eating eggs.

 

[CindyinSD]

Oh yes... I meant to point out that the egg shells alone won’t supply enough calcium. You’ll want to have oyster shells or another Ca source. They’ll only take what they need. If they’re free ranging in summer, they’ll get some Ca that way, too.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

What about this Silkie, I’ve heard him crow before if that changes your mind

Those are much better photos!
That one looks to be a Cockerel also,
the dark coloring on his shoulders is a major giveaway.

 

[StephanieRose44]

Yes

 

[StephanieRose44]

Kurt looks like the only cockerel to me.

Ok so I went to the owner/ breeder I got the chicks from in November. He is a very nice man, was very interested in how my flock turned out so I showed him multiple pictures of the chicks now. He said they all looked great We started talking more I told him that the first 2 leghorns I got ended up being Cornish Cross Meat Birds (1 was lost at about 3wks) and that I also lost a beautiful chick about two days after I brought her home (Cleopatra who was mixed up with the EEs / Ameraucanas so I always thought she was a pretty little AMeracauna or EE) I learned she was a Silver Laced Wyandotte! Which answered my question concerning Josephina’s Breed, SHE IS A GLW

a

“BLACKIE” who was always my “black mystery chick” is a FRENCH COPPER MARAN

THAT “VIOLET” is a BLUE/or LAVENDER wheaten Ameraucana ..

Although Cookie is an EASTER EGGER

Definitely a BUFF SILKIE ROO

AND THE BIGGEST MIND BLOW OF THEM ALL IS THAT KURT (CORNISH X) is not a rooster she’s a HEN....?!?

 

[Gray Farms]

Josephine is indeed a Gold Laced Wyandotte. Blackie is actually a Black Sexlink. Violet and Cookie are both Easter Eggers. Your correct also with Kurt and the Buff Silkie.

 

[StephanieRose44]

Josephine is indeed a Gold Laced Wyandotte. Blackie is actually a Black Sexlink. Violet and Cookie are both Easter Eggers. Your correct also with Kurt and the Buff Silkie.

Wow KURTS A GIRL AGAIN ! I originally named her Daisy as a chick but I guess it was her growth rate and me not knowing anything about meat birds or her breed had me so certain that Daisy was a boy. I asked on here all said rooster so I accepted it and figured if I was to have one male “protecting” the girls he would have to be named after Kurt Cobain<3

I know that sex-links and other breeds can look so similar it’s almost impossible to tell the difference, but as for blackie, I asked if she was a BSL and he said absolutely not he hasn’t had any BSL, he either said black copper Maran or French black cooper Maran or French copper Maran, he may have even said a cookoo Maran (he said she was a MARAN, I don’t think he would lie I just don’t know.

 

[Gray Farms]

Wow KURTS A GIRL AGAIN ! I originally named her Daisy as a chick but I guess it was her growth rate and me not knowing anything about meat birds or her breed had me so certain that Daisy was a boy. I asked on here all said rooster so I accepted it and figured if I was to have one male “protecting” the girls he would have to be named after Kurt Cobain<3

I know that sex-links and other breeds can look so similar it’s almost impossible to tell the difference, but as for blackie, I asked if she was a BSL and he said absolutely not he hasn’t had any BSL, he either said black copper Maran or French black cooper Maran or French copper Maran, he may have even said a cookoo Maran (he said she was a MARAN, I don’t think he would lie I just don’t know.

I'm afraid he is mistaken on Blackie. She is indeed a Black Sexlink. Her pattern is a little off for a Cooper Marans and totally wrong for a Cuckoo Marans. She does however have the classic pattern for a Black Sexlink. Also leg color is wrong for a Marans and her body shape is wrong for a pure Marans.