Sexing Delaware chicks

[mama24]

I have 2 chicks. When they first hatched, I was sure 1 was a girl, 1 was a boy. The one w/ the black spot on her head has just always looked petite and delicate next to the fuzzy yellow chick. His legs were so big and thick when he hatched, I immediately said that one must be a boy. They're a few days old now and the "boy" still has bigger legs, his comb looks slightly bigger (but still tiny, barely a spiky ridge on his head), and his wing feathers are all short. The one with a black spot on its head still has skinny little toothpick legs (compared to the twigs the other has. lol), no comb to speak of, and her wing feathers have 2 rows, 1 short 1 long. These are my first chicks, got the parents as young adults. Sound right? They are so adorable!

 

[speckledhen]

By three or four weeks old, they will tell you what they are. Black spots on the head do not mean anything with this breed. I don't feather sex them since the line must be bred specifically for that trait. Some hatcheries may have that going on, but you can't count on that as a sexing tool with all Delawares. Males have lots of "smut" between the shoulders and down the back and usually the girls do not, at least not to any degree.

Here is a Del cockerel at 3 weeks old--see the speckles down his back? That's usually a male trait. And the comb is already obvious.

 

[mama24]

Thanks!

 

[mama24]

I'm posting some pics. I think it will be interesting to find out if I'm right in a few weeks.

Check it out, the all yellow chick has thick dark yellow legs, while the chick with the black spot has skinny little light yellow legs. (I already know the spot doesn't mean anything, but we only have 2 chicks and that's the most obvious difference between them.

)

chick with black spot has a row of long feathers as well as a row of short on its wings

all yellow chick has just short feathers

He also has more attitude already. lol

My kids are really enjoying building things for them. rofl. with popsicle sticks and Lego

 

[tallyho]

I'm going to say big legs might not necessarily mean boy at this age. We had a cochin that was similarly larger all the way around. We called it 'Moose' because it was huge and had monster legs. She's turned into a beautiful big girl and is still named 'Moose'.

 

[mama24]

Interesting. I would be happiest if these were both girls. We already have a wonderful rooster, Mr Smartypants. If the yellow chick is, in fact, a boy, he's headed for the stew pot, which I'd definitely rather not have to do! We live in the city, so 3 hens and 1 rooster are all we're allowed (and 1 rooster is more than enough with only 3 hens!

) If both of these are girls, that will make 4 hens, but I don't think my neighbors will mind. We have a pretty big yard.

 

[magicpigeon]

Quote:
I wouldn't say thick legs necessarily indicate boy either. I had a speckled sussex I would have bet my life on that it was a rooster until one day she laid an egg...

 

[speckledhen]

It's a bit early to tell, but you may have a pair. In a couple weeks, I bet you'll know!

 

[delawaregirl09]

I'm betting you have a pair, but Delawares are curious minded little deviants

Very sweet and friendly, of course.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

magicpigeon,

What made you suspect your SS was a cockerel (until she laid)?
Comb, wattle, build, or personality?

Thanks