Sexing and determining breed of 6 week olds, and other questions

[Sliiiq]

First time user, bare with me here, you can answer whichever you like…

1. I’ve got 3 chicks, and I don’t know what their breeds are. Leghorns? Orpington? The two bigger ones (1&2) are supposedly 6 weeks and the 3rd is 5 weeks. Might be stupidly obvious, but I also want to know which is male and which is female. Particularly #2. I live in a suburban area, so I’m going to have to swap any males out soon. I hope it won’t be too traumatic for them (I’m aware about pecking order).

2. I introduced them to the coop last week because it’s quite hot where I am. They’re panting every now and then. Is that a problem? Their coop is in the shade and I have set out cool water for them.

3. They also eat grass on a daily, their droppings have become long with whole pieces of it! I still have them on chick starter, so is this a problem with a lack of grit? Is it okay if I keep them on chick starter and grit until they start laying eggs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fluffycrow]

1 is a cockerel, 2 is probably a pullet. Both are white leghorns. 3 is an ISA brown pullet. As long as they've got shade and access to fresh water, they should be fine. You can keep them on the chick starter until they lay eggs, yes. Then switch them to your flock feed of choice with oyster shells on the side. Edit because I didn't see the grit question. Yes. It's fine to eat grass, but do get grit

 

[nuthatched]

1 is definitely a cockerel and he'll be fine when he gets switched out.
It's ok for chickens to pant, it's natural.
They do need grit if they're on grass, but chick grit is cheap.
They can be on starter until they lay, some folks even keep them on it their whole lives and feed oyster shells on the side. but layer is fine, try to find one with at least 18% protein when you switch.
Welcome to Byc!