Sexing newly hatched chicks?

[Dixie Wishbone]

I am wondering if anyone could give some advice for a novice in sexing new chicks. I have an incubator full of Red Star X Rhode Island Red's hatching in several days and would love to separate the cockerals?! Any suggestions or previous posts that would be helpful here? Thanks!! The Wishbone

 

[Year of the Rooster]

You won't be able to separate the cockerels from the pullets at 1 day old. You will have to wait about 4-6 weeks, then you might tell.

 

[LoveMyBirds]

Quote:
I do not know if this works or not... But I have read someone posting here that you could lay the little chicks in you hand Upside Down..

If the chick layed there,, it's a girl.... if it wouldn't lay there it's a boy..

I just tried that on 2 that I just hatched... One layed and one didn't ... So when they get big enough.. I'll see if that really works or not...

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
I do not know if this works or not... But I have read someone posting here that you could lay the little chicks in you hand Upside Down..

If the chick layed there,, it's a girl.... if it wouldn't lay there it's a boy..

I just tried that on 2 that I just hatched... One layed and one didn't ... So when they get big enough.. I'll see if that really works or not...

Those tricks by holding the chicks a certain way are complete Wive's Tales. IF it does end up being true it was mostly from coincidence. There was one BYC member that tried holding them by the head to see what sex they were. The chicks endedup dying from spinal injuries. I do not recommend doing any sexing technique, leave it to the professionals at the hatcheries.