Sexing Rhode Island Red Chicks (needs immediate answer please!)

[earthnut]

This works for leghorns, dunno about your breed, but it's worth a try.

at 3:20.

 

[akcskye]

Actually, what you're supposed to do is gently hold them by the head, and if the legs dangle, they're female...if they hold the legs straight out in front of them, they're male.

It has been 100% foolproof for me, except with one chick I have now that as it grows I'm not sure of.

When tested right after it hatched, it tested female...but as it grows, it sure looks like a boy to me...fixing to post updated pics for this "guy" in an update to my thread.

 

[ebonykawai]

Bumping this for more info.

You hold them by the head? Could this hurt them? Do you actually pick them up by the head? I want to try this but I need to make sure I do it right!

Thanks for any input.

 

[Bird Hearder]

Yes I'm very interested myself. I'm supposed to get some chicks from tractor supply in the AM. I was there today and it was quite obvious they have no idea what they order. I'm trying to get a few Hens (Pullets?) and 1 Roo.

 

[CathyB]

Yes, I would be scared to hold them by the head. I want all pullets though. When I pick them up at my feed store I do not know if my order will already be separated and set for me or if I get to fish them out for what I ordered. If I get to "go fish" I will fish this way to double check as long as I feel comfortable, so more info please! Also, is this just for RIR's or any breed of chicken?

 

[ginasmarans]

You make a circle with yout pointer finger and thumb and gently encircle the neck to where just the head sticks out. It only takes a few seconds and will not harm them. Lol,my new momma hen kicks her chicks across the cage with her scratching. I think I will try this method with my next hatchlings and keep records. I'll report back with my "results"

 

[gumpsgirl]

If you are buying straight-run, just cross your fingers and pick two! I bought 12 straight-run RIR's at Easter time and got 8 roos out of the lot.

I even tried out the old-wives tales on how to sex the chickens. Needless to say, that is the last time I will ever buy straight-run again! In my own personal opinion, selling straight-run is just a way for the hatcheries to get rid of their roos. I bet 90% are roos and the other 10% are pullets thrown in with the roos just to keep people pacified. Like I said, this is just my opinion and could very well be wrong. Good luck! I'll cross my fingers for you!

You'll know by the time they are 4 wks. old if you have roos or pullets.

 

[cjeanean]

With Rhode Island Reds one method that I read about (that actually was true for all my RIR pullets) is that in females there is a small dark line down their heads. According to the study, this method is about 85% accurate. here's two pics of my RIR and leghorn chicks. Notice the dark line visible on the RIR chicks' heads. All of these are pullets, they're about 2 months old now.

 

[ScrmnWoody]

Quote:
I just found this online.

 

[TAKAFOOMI]

The study on RIR's is awesome! Thanks for posting it... I'm hopeful it's pretty accurate for my three chicks