Sexing 8-week old Faverolles

[Chickassan]

You did, lol!
The only way iv'e even come close to guessing at that early is by how they act.
Boys are clingy much easier to hold and they'll play with your hands.
Black spots though can pop up on either sex.

My Faverolles came from Cackle and from day one it was obvious who was a boy. Even as day old chicks, the boys had black patches. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

[feliciadawn]

In my case Cuckoo (the barred one) challenges every other chick. He or she is the most exploratory and as I mentioned earliest, the smartest.

 

[LadyofHenezuela]

In my very limited experience, I just found a cockerel in my flock—and he is quite different from his sister. We’ve had this flock for 8-9 weeks when I took this photo. The darker one has had a comb since about 2 weeks, has dark black feathering on his chest, and almost a metallic color to it on his back. I know he’s healthy but based on what I know about him, I’m thinking all your faverolles are female.

On another note—that’s so cool you are doing this! How did you get connected to helping a rescue?

 

[feliciadawn]

Ha I wish it was a rescue mission as that would have been noble and fine. I'd love to do that. In this case, however, I ordered sexed young pullets from an NPIP hatchery and received very sick chicks. BYC has been helping me get through it.

 

[Chickassan]

Girls challenge girls early and often, but they wont play fight the keeper's hand.
I think Cuckoo is just a smarter female, which is good you'll need her to teach the rest.

In my case Cuckoo (the barred one) challenges every other chick. He or she is the most exploratory and as I mentioned earliest, the smartest.

 

[feliciadawn]

Unfortunately, my only option to somewhat economically find out why Cuckoo is coughing (so that I can integrate the chicks with my flock) is to sacrifice him. Getting a throat swab and testing will cost me vet's fees plus $50 per test -- to test for everything would run me hundreds of dollars. However, a necropsy is $58.00, and will test for all potential respiratory issues. Since cuckoo is still symptomatic, I don't feel that I have a choice.