Topic of the Week - Sexing Chicks

[FluffyBottomBantams]

I hatch a few from my own line of Belgian D’Uccles every spring. The cockbirds have HUGE combs and the hens do not, so as soon as they come out of the shell I can accurately sex them because any male chicks have an already visible comb whereas any pullets that come out do not.
This might be helpful to anyone that is hatching from their own flock and knows the size that the combs from their particular line tend to be. Just a thought! Happy Hatching!!

 

[RebekahMarie]

I hatch a few from my own line of Belgian D’Uccles every spring. The cockbirds have HUGE combs and the hens do not, so as soon as they come out of the shell I can accurately sex them because any male chicks have an already visible comb whereas any pullets that come out do not.
This might be helpful to anyone that is hatching from their own flock and knows the size that the combs from their particular line tend to be. Just a thought! Happy Hatching!!

Nice to know! I just hatched two Belgian D’uccle chicks. They’re close to 2 weeks old now. If I post a pic do you think you could tell me their sex?

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

Nice to know! I just hatched two Belgian D’uccle chicks. They’re close to 2 weeks old now. If I post a pic do you think you could tell me their sex?

Not sure but I’d love to give it a try! Of course as a general rule of thumb it’ll be easier to tell when they’re older.

 

[3KillerBs]

I thought people would like to see this big, single comb on a 2-week-old Blue Australorp x California White chick.

I can usually sex the Blue Australorps at 3 weeks because the boys' combs pop up quick (and as I start using my own males I'll probably select for that if I can), but this is nuts.

Naturally he turned his head so you don't get the full impact of the profile.

 

[3KillerBs]

Isa Brown pullet or cockerel ?

IIRC, ISA Browns are a sexlink so there *shouldn't* be any "oops" males.

 

[RebekahMarie]

Interesting thing happened to me yesterday- and this is the topic for it—
The chicks (barnyard mix) that our broody hatched are 2 1/2 weeks old now, and even though they all look different, there are 2 with bigger combs than the rest of the hatch mates. Anyway my friend was over and we were remarking on how they might be Roos bc 1- bigger combs, 2- they both seem to have larger feet, and 3- they both are feathering in slower than the others.

After this conversation, lo and behold, the 2 of them (tiny as they still are!) started SPARRING right in front of us! They had their hackles up and they were sticking their chests out and everything! It was so crazy!!!!

So do you guys thing that for sure they must be Roos to be doing that at such a young age?

 

[MandaRae]

Interesting thing happened to me yesterday- and this is the topic for it—
The chicks (barnyard mix) that our broody hatched are 2 1/2 weeks old now, and even though they all look different, there are 2 with bigger combs than the rest of the hatch mates. Anyway my friend was over and we were remarking on how they might be Roos bc 1- bigger combs, 2- they both seem to have larger feet, and 3- they both are feathering in slower than the others.

After this conversation, lo and behold, the 2 of them (tiny as they still are!) started SPARRING right in front of us! They had their hackles up and they were sticking their chests out and everything! It was so crazy!!!!

So do you guys thing that for sure they must be Roos to be doing that at such a young age?

I think it's the funniest thing to see chicks spar they look hilarious. BUT it might be yet I wouldn't settle until they are 6-8weeks.
I had a Hen who was like that she is now top hen lol

 

[ChicKat]

What breed are the chicks in the pictures???? They are gorgeous!!!

Thanks so much. Mine are cream legbar + leghorn. The color variety is lavender. It took about 3 years of selective breeding to get here. I'll try to post a link on the " how to ".
This link should take you to the BYC thread of their development.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...uckoo-barred-project-and-genetic-dis.1153068/

 

[Bigandlittles]

Oh very timely, I have two little one I hope are ladies . The are a farm mix, possibly from legbar X mum and , Silkies or Frizzle X dads.
So got the easy to tell and hard to tell me mixed

Anyone want to take a guess? Have included day old pick . Plus today's pick
Light one is 14 days today and red /frizzles on is 13 day ( hatched about 24hours after first View attachment 1243243View attachment 1243244View attachment 1243246View attachment 1243247View attachment 1243248

That last picture is amazing

 

[HenSolo123]

Anyone want to try a guess at sexing this 5.5 week MF d’uccle? Her siblings are obvious as to their gender by now, but I can’t decide what this one is!