Sexing Chicks - Help!

[Equest94]

Hi. I'm new to the chicken business. We bought 4 chicks about a week ago. We want them mainly for eggs and "pasture ornaments." The lady we got them from raises all sorts of fowls for 4-H and showing and she said that they were too young to be able to tell which gender they are; and that hopefully at least 1 of our chicks should be a hen (only 1? --- eeek!) I'm wondering if there are noticable signs to look for that will help me differenciate male chicks from female chicks. Thank you.

 

[pueawjapygrta]

if they start crowing in 3-4 months, they're not going to give you eggs.

it's tough to sex a chick, and I think sexing works better with a newly hatched chick. after a week or so, you'll probably have to wait a few more weeks for combs to start to show.

 

[speckledhen]

Some breeds are easier, like Barred Rocks. What breed are they?

 

[silkiechicken]

Lighter breeds can start showing differences in comb development at about 6 weeks are so, with things like leghorns identifiable at 3 weeks. Breeds like pesky silkies often have to wait for a few months. Post pics of the little guys at about 6 weeks and we can make some good guesses.

 

[Equest94]

Quote:
Quote:

um... I'm embaressed to say that I'm not exactly sure. Well the dark one is some kind of Cochin and the 2 yellow ones are White Araucanas, but I'm not exactly sure what the red one is.

Here's some pics that I have...they're younger than 6 weeks, but if you can tell me anything I would greatly appreciate it:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/ … _2227a.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/ … 7_1031.jpg
(^^^ any idea on the breed? It's the biggest of the 4. Someone told me that think it's a light Cochin; however, the feathering on the legs isn't as heavy as the dark one's) - sorry, you can't realy see the feathering on their legs from these pics, just take my word from it.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/ … 7_2045.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/ … 7_1033.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/ … 7_2227.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/ … 7_1035.jpg

Group Shot!:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/ … 7_1036.jpg

The first 3 are almost 2 weeks old...The little dark Cochin is approaching a week.
The red, the darker yellow Araucana, and even the dark Chochin are showing a little comb growth...the lighter yellow Araucana seems to still look smooth - do I only have 1 hen or is it that some just mature at different rates?

So far they only chirp, peep, cheep, and do some "singing" thing when they get really excited or nervous - it sounds like some wildbird...but no crowing (yet).


ugh! ::crosses fingers, hopes for more hens than roosters:: :|


Thank you so much for all the info so far!

 

[seedcorn]

when I click on your links, don't get your pictures.....

 

[Equest94]

Quote:
I'm sorry. Try this:

Redish chick:
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/?action=view&current=052807_2227a.jpg

http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/?action=view&current=052907_1031.jpg

White Araucanas:
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/?action=view&current=052807_2045.jpg
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/?action=view&current=052907_1033.jpg

(some kind of) darkish Cochin:
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/?action=view&current=052807_2227.jpg
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/?action=view&current=052907_1035.jpg
(^^^ this one just recently injured it'self, so it you're clicking though the general pictures that's what you come across

...I'm taking it to the vet 2mrw, hopefully things will work out)

Group shot:
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/?action=view&current=052907_1036.jpg


Anyways, I hope those links work better for you. I don't expect you guys to be able to tell me the gender of my chicks from those pics (they're pretty bad quality - camera phone), but like I said...anything ideas or just stuff for me to look for that might indicate whether they are male or female would be great. Thanks.

 

[hinkjc]

IMO they are way to young to sex by looks. I also wanted to mention that your "white araucana" are actually easter eggers. White araucana do not look like that and do not have fluffy cheeks (muffs/beards).

Jody

 

[Equest94]

Quote:
Acutally "East Eggers" and Araucanas ARE the same breed and they do have puffy cheeks. I may be new to this "chicken thing" but I do know that for sure and that my little 2 yellow ones are indeed White Araucanas.

Check this out:
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/araucanas_americanas.html
http://www.centralpets.com/animals/birds/domestic_birds/dbd4926.html

 

[hinkjc]

Nope, they're not...sorry, but you have been mislead like so many others before you by the hatchery's misinformation they provide. These places are not labeling the birds they sell appropriately. If they say, "they are also known as easter egg chickens", then that is what you got because a true breeder of araucana and ameraucana would never say that about the true breeds.

Check out my site if you want to see real Araucana. I also raise Easter Eggers and real Ameraucana. They are all different breeds. Araucana and Ameraucana are the only ones accepted by the APA and ABA. Easter Eggers are cross breeds produced to lay colorful eggs and have no standard.

Araucana only have ear tufts - no muffs/beards like Ameraucana and EEs. The APA/ABA standard on Araucana also call for rumpless birds (they typically do not have a tail, however we use tailed birds in breeding for body structure).

http://www.hinkjcpoultry.com/modernstandardaraucanas.htm

Also, here is the Araucana club web site for additional reference:
http://www.araucanaclubofamerica.org/

And the Ameraucana club web site:
http://www.ameraucana.org/index.html

Regardless, they are very cute and I'm glad you like them. The EE chickens are a lot of fun. I was simply pointing out their error in naming the breed.

Jody