Sexing chicks

[stevenfinn38]

I'm very new to raising chickens. Bought my chicks for egg laying. I'm sure there are 100k of post on here about this subject so forgive me in advance. Also I bought my chicks from a feed store. 1st thing I read says that feed stores buy hens. Then I read that feed stores buy St.Runs. I bought 2 Sapphire Gems, 2 Rhode Island Reds, and 2 Wyandotte. After looking up several ways to sex chicks. I believe one of the Sapphire Gems is a Rooster. Based off its wing feathers. It has long front feathers, and short back feathers with no second layer. Also the white dot on its head is not as pronounced as the one that I believe is a hen. It runs more down the neck. The one that I believe is a hen has a top white centered dot. Obviously my question is how can you sex a hen versus a rooster. Sorry if this is a repeated question as I am sure it is. Thanks for the help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Feather sexing can only be done on certain breeds. Other breeds sold as sexed are vent sexed. Sapphire Gems are a sex link breed so can be sexed visually, however I'm not familiar with them so I don't know what exactly they look for when sexing.

Also I bought my chicks from a feed store. 1st thing I read says that feed stores buy hens. Then I read that feed stores buy St.Runs.

Feed stores can carry sexed birds, straight run (unsexed) or both (most common). They should have it posted in the store what breeds are in each bin and whether or not they're sexed.

In your case, I would either call or stop by the store that you purchased from, and ask about each of the breeds you bought, whether they're sexed pullets or straight run. Keep in mind that vent sexing is an inexact science so even with sexed female chicks, there's around a 10% chance of getting a male.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
It's possible to get cockerels even in pullet orders, because vent sexing isn't 100% accurate.
Forget about feather sexing here! It's a nice trait, but needs to be bred for when choosing the parents, and that's so not likely with hatchery birds!
TIME has to pass, so post photos is a few weeks, when it's more likely to be possible to make better guesses, anyway.
Mary

 

[aart]

Obviously my question is how can you sex a hen versus a rooster. Sorry if this is a repeated question as I am sure it is. Thanks for the help.

With most breeds, the comb and wattle size and color will tell the tale on the males at 4-6 weeks. Wynadottes are tougher to tell.


FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @stevenfinn38