Chicken bald back

[Peachy Pekins]

Can anybody give me a guide on how to tell a she from a he when it comes to Pekin chicks please and at what age will this become obvious. Also at what age are the cockrels sexually mature, as I will need to put them all in same pen from 8-10 weeks with other Bantams and obviously don't want more broody hens and chicks than I can cope with !!!

[Lewis]

Have a look at their feather growth, particularly wing feathers!

Females feather up quicker and will have much longer wing feathers.

 

Cockerels should be obvious from 5-6 weeks when their combs are much bigger and redder than their siblings.

[ethansmum]

Are tail feathers any indication? I have 2 boys with 'bum fluff' but their sister already has properly coloured up tail feathers.

 

Also one on my boys has stated to crow at 6 weeks

[miller30]

Most pekin boys start to crow early from about 6 weeks ive had one in the brooder in the house before and every morning I came down and opened the curtains he would start it was pathetic but always made me laugh leanne

[atsw]

Can anybody give me a guide on how to tell a she from a he when it comes to Pekin chicks please and at what age will this become obvious.

Have a look at these pictures. You'll see a total of 7 Partridge Pekin chicks, of which 4 turned out to be boys. There are some additional pictures with ages shown here.

 

Andrew

[Peachy Pekins]

Thank you all - will let you know when they hatch !!! Any day now ....