4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[kentuckyfried]

Do warren chicks have day one identifiable sex-linked characteristics? (I mean, is it obvious at hatch whether they are boys or girls)?

 

I want to buy some off heat chicks, but was wondering whether I will be playing the sex identification guessing game or not, and feel stupid asking the breeder.

[kentuckyfried]

Ok, asked the breeder, and he said that no, they haven't got linked characteristics- so at what age would I expect to be able to tell them apart?

[dance in the dark]

I don't know, but most hybrids are sexable very early on. If they are off heat they should be AT LEAST six weeks old, and by that point most breeds can be sexed, at least, by someone who really knows what they're doing....

[zakjon-98]

I agree you should be able to tell the the sex at 6 weeks as the boys should have bigger combs. I may be wrong but I always thought hybrids were sex-linked so the hatcheries could cull the males at day old Rhode island red x light sussex definately are sex linked though and look similar to warrens.

[Redwing]

If they are genuine first cross hybrids (ie direct from a hybrid hatchery's specialised breeding stock) then yes they will be sex linked, females are amber and males are yellow

 

If they are the result of crossing two 'Warrens' together then no they wont be sex linked

 

If the breeder is doing the breeding correctly to produce a garden warren type hybrid (as opposed to the big commercial hatchery ones) then they should be using a Rhode Island Red cock with Light Sussex hens, the chicks from that match will be sex linked (females amber and males yellow)

 

Most hybrid suppliers get Warrens delivered as 16 week olds but there are a few that get them in as chicks and the delivery should be all females, the males dont make it out of the hatchery usually. If you are dealing with a breeder and not a supplier then you need to find out what the parent birds are to know whether the chicks will be sex linked