sexing chicks

[arabookworm]

happy holidays everyone!
how old do the chicks have to be before you figure out their sex? and what are the signs they would exhibit? what should I look out for?

any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance!!!

 

[HorseFeathers]

Take a look at the What Breed Or Gender Is This? section and you'll find TONS!

 

[speckledhen]

If you have a pure Barred Rock, they are easier, Marwa.

Boys: big, splotchy headspot, little to no black down the leg fronts, more silvery/gray/frosty appearance overall
Girls: Small, more defined headspot, dark wash of color down the leg fronts to the toes, very black appearance.


Might be a bit harder in the crosses.

 

[americana-chick]

watch this whole video if you want to see how hatcherys sex day old chicks

 

[speckledhen]

Feather sexing like in the video doesn't work on many breeds. You have to actually breed for this trait, which they probably do in those hatchery birds.

 

[Farm Frenzy]

I think that has to be THE SADDEST video I have ever seen!! How sad for those babies to be treated like that.

 

[bullrider]

WOW i wounder what the death rate on them chick is i bet pretty high they are defently are not BYC members.

 

[flamingauburnmustang]

Yes, it is a rather disturbing video.............BUT that is certainly not how we treat our chicks.

Those are big factories. They don't care how the chicks are treated. They just think about time and money.

 

[americana-chick]

ya i know. hatcheries just dont get it... but at least some of them get to go to better homes.

 

[Brad7558]

That video made my wife cry. I can only eat organic eggs now.