Which heavy breeds can be sexed as day olds?

[jingles]

I just thought I'd update on my (hopeful) success and absolute failure.

I went to get my chicks today and chose a Wellsummer (top) and silver legbar (bottom). I am very hopeful that they are girls (especially the wellsummer), but I guess time will tell.

I did ask for day old chicks, but was so focused on choosing girls that I didn't pay much attention to their size (not day old!). Put them under Broody & she first abandoned them and then when I put her back in the nest box she atacked them quite viciously so I had to separate. So I now have a broody chicken outside and two cute chicks in a brooder in the house.

I am going to go to plan B and get eggs from a breeder who will take back the boys and let the kids enjoy hand raising the chicks . Hopefully these two will grow up to give us some yummy eggs.....

 

[junebuggena]

I just thought I'd update on my (hopeful) success and absolute failure.

I went to get my chicks today and chose a Wellsummer (top) and silver legbar (bottom). I am very hopeful that they are girls (especially the wellsummer), but I guess time will tell.



I did ask for day old chicks, but was so focused on choosing girls that I didn't pay much attention to their size (not day old!). Put them under Broody & she first abandoned them and then when I put her back in the nest box she atacked them quite viciously so I had to separate. So I now have a broody chicken outside and two cute chicks in a brooder in the house.

I am going to go to plan B and get eggs from a breeder who will take back the boys and let the kids enjoy hand raising the chicks

. Hopefully these two will grow up to give us some yummy eggs.....

How long has your hen been broody for, and is this her first time encountering chicks?

 

[jingles]

She has been broody for about 2 weeks - I think that's my error! This is her second time with chicks. The first time worked perfectly & she was a fabulous mum, but I did spend a few weeks trying to break her broodiness before I gave up & the chicks were much smaller.. She chirrup per when I put the chicks in initially, so I think she was happy, then when she saw them was less pleased.... At least with eggs I know she'll raise them, but the poor thing will have to sit on them for quite a while as I will only be able to get newly fertilised eggs. She is a big girl, so I guess should be able to handle the weight loss. Maybe I'll put some food in her best so she can keep eating .

Cheers,

Julia

 

[junebuggena]

Yeah, generally they need to have been broody for a while before they will accept chicks.