sexing them??

[MEchickenfarmer33]

hello everyone, I have 2 chicks that are about 2 weeks old that hatched from underneath my white rock broody hen. She is raising them excellently and we have had no problems. one chick is a barred rock and the other is a white rock. So I was just wondering if there was any way of telling what the birds are because if it is a rooster than we will sadly have to give it away because we can't have another rooster here

. so I would like to know what they are so if one or both are roosters i can arrange for good reliable homes where i can visit them. I have heard stuff about holding them upside down and checking their wings, but i wanted more expert advise on the topic. thanks in advance!!!!!

hoping for 2 hens!!!!!!!

 

[sourland]

Most of the 'stuff' that you have heard has a success rating of 50 %. Crowing and the appearance of secondary sex charcteristics - hackle and saddle feathers, early enlargement of comb and wattles are defining characteristics.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

will the comb and wattle be enlarged even at 2 weeks old?? and how can i check the hackle and saddle feathers???

 

[sourland]

2 weeks is a little early for discernable difference in comb size. Pointy saddle and hackle feathers generally start appearing in the second or third month depending upon breed. This frequently is coincidental with the beginning of crowing.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

ok thanks a lot for your answers!! also when will mama hen be "finished" with her babies and I can put her back into the regular coop?? I have another possible broody sitting and need space for her should she commit to it.