Debbie1962 Posted July 25, 2020 Share Posted July 25, 2020 So I would like to buy as young as possible chicks but need them to be female. How reliable are so called sexed chicks. From what I have read many breeds are not sexable until they are older say 16 weeks or so. I am mostly interested interested in warrens. Tia. Debbie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 25, 2020 Share Posted July 25, 2020 I have no idea about warrens other than that because, I think, they’re often kept commercially I would think you can get them as sexed day olds but I wouldn’t know where from or if you can get small numbers. Alternatively, some breeds, such as Cream Legbars are autosexing - that means the male and female chicks have different coloured feathers so you can fairly reliably tell the difference as soon as they hatch. Most experienced breeders would be able to sex youngsters of a lot of breeds way before 16 weeks. For instance I’ve now had / hatched pekins three times, and I’m reasonably confident in sexing from about 3 or 4 weeks with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 25, 2020 Share Posted July 25, 2020 Agreed. Don't forget that you'll need a brooder, heat and all the other gubbins associated with raising young chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted July 26, 2020 Author Share Posted July 26, 2020 Oh yes I know they need heat etc. Already been looking into that. But the more I search the less likely it seems that I will be able to get what I want unless I change the breed I want to something that can be autosexed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchie Posted July 26, 2020 Share Posted July 26, 2020 Alternatively you could try and find someone who will take it back if it turns out to be a cockerel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 I don't know anyone so I can't risk it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 I think Dutchie meant the breeder. If you get young chicks from the breeder, you could see if they take back the cockerels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Oh right sorry lol. Do breeders do that? Would have thought it was a case of you bought them it's your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 6 minutes ago, Debbie1962 said: Oh right sorry lol. Do breeders do that? Would have thought it was a case of you bought them it's your problem. Probably often the case, but no harm in asking right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 They usually do if they are sold as female - best to ask before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 Not seen any sexed ones for sale. May have to change my idea and just go for young pol's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanTheChickenMan Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Our local hatchery, in Ireland, supplies sexed day old chicks - http://www.johnstonspoultry.com/options.html Not sure if they would know a counterpart close to you that could maybe help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted July 28, 2020 Author Share Posted July 28, 2020 8 hours ago, DanTheChickenMan said: Our local hatchery, in Ireland, supplies sexed day old chicks - http://www.johnstonspoultry.com/options.html Not sure if they would know a counterpart close to you that could maybe help? Thank you. I will check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
