sexing at 3 weeks

[LeenaB]

My mid December hatch is growing. Of the 7 chicks it seems only 2 are pullets. The other 4 are all males- 2 sex link males (RIR x plymouth rock hen) and it seems 2 of the RIR are getting spurs. There is one mystery chick.

So what is the normal age for spurs? At this point they're tiny little raised bumps.

I was hoping for more pullets. Thankfully I have 6 in my incubator now that are due to hatch today.

 

[shmccarthy]

All chicks will have spur bumps, male or female. It takes a while for the males to become prominent. I noticed larger spur bumps at about 4-5 months on my roosters and they continue to grow after.

 

[seann]

Side question, what do you do with roosters? City ordinance does not allow roosters in house/yard (City of La Mesa, CA).

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Side question, what do you do with roosters? City ordinance does not allow roosters in house/yard (City of La Mesa, CA).

I am in Los Angeles and have the same issue. To avoid it I will generally get point of lay pullets but I have on occasion gotten a few chicks. You can try to find a breeder that will do a rooster return--pay more up front but get to bring the bird back in exchange for a new chick in case its a boy. It's lame starting over but at least it is not a complete loss.

If you want to hatch eggs or do hatchery chicks or no guarantee chicks then you can either try to rehome your roos (usually for free) or process them right before they reach maturity as soup.

 

[LeenaB]

We're allowed roosters in our town. But for the sake of peace among my flock I will keep at most 2 roosters at once. I currently have one grown rooster. The others will either be sold, rehomed or become dinner this spring.

Often people will take roosters to bring in new blood lines to their flock.

I had new chicks hatch today, one RIR and 5 EE x RIR crosses.