Goolan29 Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Hi, I have four chicks that are now 13 weeks old, so not very little! Having read various articles etc I have had a guess at their sex's but as this is my first attempt at raising chicks I have more than likely got it wrong! would be very grateful for your expertise please. I have found it difficult to get photographs as they are fast movers so they may not be close enough. Another problem I may have is that I may not be able to post photographs as I have not posted many times & I have spent ages trying to figure it out via photobucket. Anyway here goes with a picture of one of them to start. Thank you in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Most breeds will have 'shown' themselves at this age Goolan. Our Wyandottes started crowing at 10 weeks and our Leghorns at 4 weeks. Orpingtons are 15 weeks and over though, but it seems a good chance you have been extremely lucky and have all pullets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goolan29 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Share Posted September 11, 2016 Thank you for your reply Beantree. I have managed to get photographs of the other three. Two of the four chicks are Silkies which I understand can be notoriously difficult to sex! There has certainly been no crowing from any of the them & although 13 weeks they are still making their baby noises! I thought the 2 silkies may be cockerels as they both have untidy crests & big feet! When I let them roam the black one always picks on the white. I think the buff coloured one is a mille fleur/silkie cross and is very reserved & feminine so I believe her to be female? I also think the chick I posted a picture of yesterday is female. Would really like some opinions/advice please as I need to be looking for homes for 2 of them as unfortunately I don't have room to keep them all with my others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 The buff one looks like a Poland cross, but it's not a breed I am familiar with. I do know they can't see very well because of the feathering over the eyes and so are prone to be bullied. But I spoke to someone recently and they took an old non-laying Poland into their flock and to help her they trimmed around her eyes. The effect was amazing apparently, like she had suddenly discovered a new world and she started laying again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Most breeds will have 'shown' themselves at this age Goolan. Our Wyandottes started crowing at 10 weeks and our Leghorns at 4 weeks. Orpingtons are 15 weeks and over though, but it seems a good chance you have been extremely lucky and have all pullets. I've got at least 3 boys about 12-14 weeks old only 2 are crowing and one of their older brothers was 12 month old before he crowed he was an exception so don't bank on non crowers bean girls just yet, most of mine are normally trying to crow by about 15 -16 weeks old by then it should be easier to tell from their combs and wattles as boys should have bigger ones than the girls I'm assuming silkies are the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
