Sexing 7 Week old RIR

[LadiesAndJane]

I bought 2 RIR Pullets 7 weeks ago at TSC and i am new to raising and sexing chicks and i cant have a any roosters where i live and i wanted to double check on their sex so that i know if i need to find any homes for them. Nothing makes me think that they are a cockerel but like i said i don't know much because I'm new to this.

Chick 1. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6zyyX1kEp41q5KiCA


Chick 2. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8TggMvWMqm9qgUPe7

I think they are both girls. The chick in photo 1 looked like it was a boy at first in one of the photos but I think it was the light. Their combs are not that big for 7 weeks and no real redness, which you can see in RIR as early as 4-5 weeks, so I vote that both are girls!

 

[mommiesrcool]

Reduced feed can cause slower development. In a mixed flock, a creep feeder is one way of assuring that chicks can get the feed they need.

You should never with hold food from growing chicks or laying hens. NEVER.
If your having issues with chicks eating food that is not theirs then house them separete.

I was watching the hen for 2 weeks and I brought her back to her home on Saturday but I ran out of chick feed and the closest TSC is 1 hour away so I will be going on Friday to go get some feed for them but right now they have a bowl with rice, oatmeal, girt, and some eggs
once I get the chick feed they will have it available to them 24/7 ( except at night)

 

[mommiesrcool]

You should never with hold food from growing chicks or laying hens. NEVER.
If your having issues with chicks eating food that is not theirs then house them separete.

the laying hen was a meat bird so I kinda had to take the food away because she was at the feeder for 45+ minutes she also wouldn't let my chicks eat

 

[mommiesrcool]

I think they are both girls. The chick in photo 1 looked like it was a boy at first in one of the photos but I think it was the light. Their combs are not that big for 7 weeks and no real redness, which you can see in RIR as early as 4-5 weeks, so I vote that both are girls!

Yes! i am going to update you guys once they are 12 weeks old

 

[The Happster]

I have no reason to think either are male.
I believe both to be pullets.

 

[mommiesrcool]

I have no reason to think either are male.
I believe both to be pullets.

I've been hoping to hear that fingers crossed!!

 

[BonNuit]

They both look like pullets, but it's impossible to be sure as they are too young. Hackle and saddle feathers aren't developed yet. Comb and feet are less reliable, IMHO. They are production reds ... not actual RIR -- since you asked. It makes no real difference. As another poster stated, you should never limit their food at this age. Separate them from others, if necessary, but limiting food during growth is a bad idea.

 

[mommiesrcool]

They both look like pullets, but it's impossible to be sure as they are too young. Hackle and saddle feathers aren't developed yet. Comb and feet are less reliable, IMHO. They are production reds ... not actual RIR -- since you asked. It makes no real difference. As another poster stated, you should never limit their food at this age. Separate them from others, if necessary, but limiting food during growth is a bad idea.

once they finish the food that I gave them I will be refilling it back up because I don't have any chick starter but on Friday I am going to buy a 50lbs bag so that I won't run out soon. but i PROMISE once i have the chick starter they will be able to free feed

 

[black_cat]

Do not continue to withhold feed. The hen can eat the chick feed as long as she has oyster shell on the side.

 

[mommiesrcool]

Do not continue to withhold feed. The hen can eat the chick feed as long as she has oyster shell on the side.

Ok I am going to explain the story so 6 months ago I bought "egg layers" at TSC well once I started free-feeding them the "egg layer" they gained 4 lbs in less than a week and I have a friend who raises meat chickens and she said those look like meat chickens and since I bought a straight run I got 3 roos and 1 pullet and I gave the rooster away and kept the hen but she didn't lay until the day that I gave her away and I didn't find the egg until today and when I had the hen I got some chicks but she would bully the chicks and I only raised meat chickens so I thought I had to limit food but once I got the chicks I made a thread and they all told me that the chicks need to be free feed and the chicks are free to feed but the hen would bully them and woulnt let them eat so I had to take the food away and feed the chicks 3 times a day from 4-weeks old to 7 weeks old but know they are finally able to free feed becuase i dont have the hen any more