sexing babies - is it possible? / handling babies

[Haych]

I have five 5 day old chicks which are all pekin bantams.

Can they be sexed at all? and what age do their feathers start coming in?

Also, I am trying to get the babies accustomed to me so they will be friendly when they are older, I go in every day to feed and water etc, but the surrogate mum has never been really that friendly (not viscious but wont come to me willingly) and she is now leading the babies away from me the same as she does

Can this be stopped? my other chickens are happy to be fussed and fed by hand, but I do not want the new babies to be afraid of me because of mums temperment - what can I do to avoid this?

 

[mykl1]

At 5 days old you should already see little feathers starting to grow out

At about 5-6 weeks old the males will have slightly darker combs and wattles.

Take mama some bird seed or thawed frozen sweet corn, she'll be real friendly very soon.

 

[Haych]

Quote:
thank you, will keep an eye on that- I was told its something to do with the wing feathers too but the advice was given as not 100% sure lol

The mom ALWAYS getting treats. All of my chickens get corn daily, as well as fruit etc through the week. I also buy them a tub of maggotts every so often too lol

She will eat out of my hand, but has never been willing to come to me unless I have food for her. Must be just one of those things.