Unidentified Breed and Sexing

[substandardtim]

So we got six extra chicks dumped on us and we don't know what breed they are and I'd like some firm information on how to sex them. From what I've been told you can tell by how many layers of feathers on the wings but I don't know for sure.

These new ones are supposed to be two weeks old though compared to our three week old buff orpingtons, they look more like one week old. So far there doesn't seem to be any aggression between them.

Can anyone give me some clues as to what breed the little white ones in these pictures are? I know it's probably tough at this early age.

Also these pictures are from inside the new coop I just built them which I'll post more details about in the coop forum at some point.

 

[R@ndy]

If they start growing like crazy they could be meat birds

 

[walkswithdog]

They could be white rocks or white cornishX's - meat birds, I even once got a hatchery delaware that pale at first. All three have single combs and yellow legs.

As to sexing - nope most birds can't be reliably feather sexed unless bred specifically by a hatchery or breeder for the trait and most don't, and most breeds don't.

Welcome to watching them grow...

 

[magsrags]

Are they buff orps? Look like mine did. If so lucky dump.

 

[substandardtim]

Yes the larger ones are buff orps, it's the little white ones I'm trying to identify.

That's a bit discouraging about the sexing. It'd be nice to know what we are dealing with sooner than later. We only wanted hens.

 

[Cape Cod Chick]

The little pale yellow ones look just like our White Rock.

I agree with you about the sexing being frustrating. We have six chicks that are supposed to be all girls, but I'm terrified one of them (especially my granddaughter's) will turn out to be a rooster. Tinkerbell is the only one who has a large comb developing on the top of her (?) beak and she's one of the most aggressive ones. Please don't let her be a rooster!

 

[substandardtim]

That's part of what has me worried. The combs on these little ones are much more pronounced than on the older buff orps. It is a different breed though and I presume may just have a different comb type in general.