What breeds can be easily sexed at day-old?

[Silverlocks]

I'd like to order day old pullets from McMurray but I really don't want to end up having to find homes for roosters. I know about sex-links. I thought I read somewhere that there are other breeds you can sex early for other little characteristics, but I can't find anything about what these breeds might be and I'm beginning to think I dreamt it. Does anyone know any chickens that can be accurately sexed day-old, besides the sex-links?

Also, a side question--this 26th chick they like to throw in as a free gift--is it likely to be a spare cockerel (in spite of the all-pullet order?)

 

[journey11]

Free rare chicks are ALWAYS spare cockerels, to my knowledge. I've gotten some pretty ones though. But cross me once, into the pot you go mister!!

Now, if you didn't check that little box for the rare suprise, you will likely get an extra pullet or two in case one you ordered dies.

 

[ChooksChick]

I'm not sure which breeds they are, but there are breeds that are sexable by feather length in the wings.

The way a hatchery sexes them, more likely, is by doing vent sexing, which consists of squeezing the poo out of the little bug, then looking at some spots inside the vent to determine if they are more likely female or male characteristics. Problem is that this is not 100% accurate, nor is the feather sexing, nor is the color sexing, necessarily!

No one wants to get rid of extra roos- it's just part of the gig.

 

[lotzahenz]

I love MMH. They are a favorite old stand-by. The sex-links are easy and you should not get any roos, unless someone is careless. Also, it is easy to tell the Cuckoo Marans at day old. Sometimes you will second guess yourself, but it is not hard to pick out the pullets. I feel sure you can write on your order "Absolutely NO cockerals" tell them you are not allowed and could never cull or rehome a family member.Tell them it is a 4-H show project and you will not get substitutes. You can refuse the exotic chick. I have gotten both male and female exotics from them over the years. About 50% I guess. I have had great luck with MM and have had very few roos in my pullet orders.

Good luck on your 4-H project, I LOVE 4-H.

HenZ (4-H horse club leader)

 

[Freyja]

I've learned here on BYC that Barred Rocks can be sexed fairly accurately according to three traits -- the size & shape of their head spot (smaller and more regular for females), leg color (females will have a dark wash -- and more of it -- on their legs rather than just being yellow). And females tend to be darker in color overall.

 

[cthrash1]

I think the Buff Orpingtons can be feathersexed

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

If you are ordering from a hatchery, they vent sex virtually all largefowl chicks. Bantams cannot be safely vent sexed.

Any barred or cuckoo bird can be sexed via their headspot; there is a small chance of getting a male with only one copy of the barring gene.

There are several autosexing breeds, although I am not aware of any in the US.