Sexing 8-week old Faverolles

[em530]

I think all are hens (with unusual markings) males tend to be a lot more black, plus my roo had a red comb from quite young. I’m glad they are doing better! see pic of mine at 9 weeks old the cockerel is very black

 

[black_cat]

I think all are hens (with unusual markings) males tend to be a lot more black, plus my roo had a red comb from quite young. I’m glad they are doing better! see pic of mine at 9 weeks old the cockerel is very black ☺

Yes- male faverolles are very different than females. Any with black breast feathers are male.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

The chicks in the first post are girls - lighter in colors greys/whites/brown.
The chicks in the second post are likely boys - darker in color, lots of black.

 

[feliciadawn]

The striped one, Cuckoo, is still sneezing despite a week of antibiotics. I am going to need to get him or her tested at the state lab for MG and other respiratory issues. I am not sure if they will need to sacrifice the animal to do these tests . I guess if they have a longterm illness all of them will need to be culled, as I can't risk my other adult chickens.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

The striped one, Cuckoo, is still sneezing despite a week of antibiotics. I am going to need to get him or her tested at the state lab for MG and other respiratory issues. I am not sure if they will need to sacrifice the animal to do these tests . I guess if they have a longterm illness all of them will need to be culled, as I can't risk my other adult chickens.

If you have a bird vet near you, they should be able to do a tracheal swab w/out putting the bird down.

 

[feliciadawn]

Penn Vet seems to be the best place to do it (affiliated with the state lab system.). However, they only talk about blood samples. I will call tomorrow to get the scoop. There also is a mail-in lab, but it is all the way in California. I am just not sure it will get there in time -- needs to arrive in 3-4 days. Mail here is crazy right now -- I sent a phone back to t-mobile and it has been, per tracking, at the Philadelphia depot (5 miles from my house) for 5 days now.

 

[Chickassan]

Please don't rush to conclusion on sex or health of your birds.
Hatchery stock can be slow to show true plumage and Faverolles in general tend to be a sneezy snorty bird more so than a lot of breeds especially during times of incoming plumage.
Iv'e got a ton of them lol!
And just at first glance im saying all female, in hatchery stock you'll also see a variety of sizes, colors, and more smooth faces than you'd see in a breeder hatch.

 

[feliciadawn]

Thank you Chickassan for giving me hope. I will call about testing tomorrow. Right now I have the faverolles in the basement, and I put them out on the front lawn a few hours every day to give them fresh air. If I put them in the back (where I have a coop for them), they would be exposed to my other chickens. It is a real hassle, but I can keep in up for a few more weeks to get them tested.

 

[Chickassan]

I just read your backstory and oh boy you and those birds have been through it!
These guys are an odd breed when they're perfectly healthy so you've had no fun i'd imagine.

Thank you Chickassan for giving me hope. I will call about testing tomorrow. Right now I have the faverolles in the basement, and I put them out on the front lawn a few hours every day to give them fresh air. If I put them in the back (where I have a coop for them), they would be exposed to my other chickens. It is a real hassle, but I can keep in up for a few more weeks to get them tested.

 

[keesmom]

The OPs birds all look like pullets to me.

Yes- male faverolles are very different than females. Any with black breast feathers are male.

Unfortunately this is not the case with a lot of hatchery stock.

These are all pullets, and I have seen worse. Pullets with solid black fronts and beards.