Spring 2017 first timers post!

[Red5]

Sexing chickens is something that I know nothing about. However today I noticed something. Half of my chicks have an inch of protruding tail feathers with strong quills. The other half look similar to their hind ends did the day I received them. Are the ones with the tail starts my roosters? Buff Orpington is the breed and I can provide a picture if necessary upon request. They are 18 days old now and as far as the combs, I can tell little difference if any top comb exists.

 

[Honora]

Sexing chickens is something that I know nothing about. However today I noticed something. Half of my chicks have an inch of protruding tail feathers with strong quills. The other half look similar to their hind ends did the day I received them. Are the ones with the tail starts my roosters? Buff Orpington is the breed and I can provide a picture if necessary upon request. They are 18 days old now and as far as the combs, I can tell little difference if any top comb exists.

Tail growth & feathering has nothing to do with the sex of Orpingtons. The comb is a more important indicator. I have 10 Orpington chicks that are 5 weeks old now & I can tell most of them are boys now from their comb size and color. Good luck!

 

[Honora]

Got my little brood! Was in such a hurry to get to the feed store I forgot to grab some free newspapers at the gas station so pardon the lack of bedding figured the shelf liner was still good even without the paper so they had grip. Got too dark outside for me to get it all set up how I wanted will fix it good tomorrow

Also went with the intention to get 8 but when I got there there were only 9 left so I got #9 free with purchase of a couple pounds feed lol

Cute chickies!

I think you are better off with the shelf liner because I have heard that newspaper is bad for their feet. I would stick to the shelf liner or paper towels for the first few days.

 

[faery69]

The post I read to make the diy brooder they're in suggested newspaper under the shelf liner the shelf liner is just so they have grip when they walk

 

[Honora]

The post I read to make the diy brooder they're in suggested newspaper under the shelf liner the shelf liner is just so they have grip when they walk

I have not heard of that before but that's true of many things!

Have fun with your chicks; I love Wyandottes!

 

[Red5]

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The 50/50 split is what had me wondering as I was told to expect that average on a straight run order. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Honora]

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It will be interesting to see if it turns out to be sex-related with yours. I have never found it to be with mine, but maybe with different strains it will be different.

 

[Red5]

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All I can tell you is that they were all hatched and shipped on the same day, so it wouldn't be due to age difference. Their tail feathers are really profound, especially compared to the other ones. They also seem to have sort of a male attitude on several of them. Seems like they enjoy having head-on stare downs. I doubt this turns out to be the case with sexing them, but it will be enjoyable seeing how it turns out whichever way.

 

[Montana2]

Hi Everyone! I'm just now joining this forum. Seems like a nice way to learn from each other as we begin the journey of raising chickens! I just picked up my pullet chicks yesterday from our local ranch supply store:

2 golden laced Wyandottes
2 silver laced Wyandottes
2 Araucana/Ameraucana crosses (Easter Eggers, I guess)

They were all very active yesterday, so hoping they will all thrive. The larger, lighter cross was picking on feathers of others a little yesterday, so will monitor that. I have named her Kung Pao because she is so bold. I can tell the difference between all of them except the silver Wyandottes. Will need to spend more time with them to figure out which one is which.

My chicks are under ano EcoGlow. Above the EcoGlow I have ano old Toasty Toes foot/panel warmer. It will be more useful later. Today I will move them into a larger container, but wanted to give them a clear container to see through, so have to pick one up,

 

[Montana2]

Hi Everyone! I'm just now joining this forum. Seems like a nice way to learn from each other as we begin the journey of raising chickens! I just picked up my pullet chicks yesterday from our local ranch supply store:

2 golden laced Wyandottes
2 silver laced Wyandottes
2 Araucana/Ameraucana crosses (Easter Eggers, I guess)

They were all very active yesterday, so hoping they will all thrive. The larger, lighter cross was picking on feathers of others a little yesterday, so will monitor that. I have named her Kung Pao because she is so bold. I can tell the difference between all of them except the silver Wyandottes. Will need to spend more time with them to figure out which one is which.

My chicks are under an EcoGlow. Above the EcoGlow I have an old Toasty Toes foot/panel warmer. It will be more useful later. Today I will move them into a larger container, but wanted to give them a clear container to see through, so have to pick one up.