How to Identify Female vs. Male Chicks
Most backyard chicken keepers are interested in establishing layer flocks. For that reason, female chicks are in much higher demand than male chicks. Determining the sex of chicks can often be difficult. Because the sex organs of chickens are located inside their body, it is often not obvious if you have a female or a male chick. However, there are some breed-specific traits that can help determine the sex of your chicks. Today we are going to discuss some of the most common ways to determine if you have female vs. male chicks.
Buying Chicks that Are Sorted by Sex
The easiest way to determine the sex of your chicks is to buy pre-sorted babies. Most hatcheries have trained professionals who can examine the sex organs of chicks and determine if they are female or male. Vent sexing requires extensive training and practice. The average poultry keeper should not attempt to learn this process on their own. It demands a trained eye, a delicate touch, and plenty of practice. Making errors while exposing the sex organs can permanently harm or kill baby chicks. For this reason, professionals should handle vent sexing, and poultry keepers should buy chicks that have already been sorted by sex.
When you visit a local feed store or browse a poultry catalog, check the signs on the chick tanks or the catalog listings. If you want female chicks, look for labels that say “Females” or “Pullets.” Avoid groups labeled “Straight Run” or “Mixed Sex,” as these include a mix of males and females, which won’t work if you’re looking for future laying hens. You should also be aware that, while professional chick sorters are very good at their job, they are not perfect. The accuracy rate of pre-sorted chicks is usually around 90%. That means there is a chance that you may end up with a male. Make sure you are okay with that possibility. If you live in a municipality or community that forbids roosters, consider some of our other tricks from this article when selecting the right type of chicks for your flock!
What is Sex Linking in Chickens?
There are certain breeds of chickens where the female and male chicks are different colors when they hatch. This is called sex-linking and is a SUPER EASY way to determine if you have female or male chicks. Sex linking is a genetic trait and results when cross-breeding certain types of chickens. Red Sex Link and Black Sex Link chicks are the most common types of sex-linked chickens. In Red Sex Links, for example, the female chicks are red and the male chicks are yellow at hatch. In Black Sex Links, the female chicks are all black at hatch and the male chicks will have white spots on their head at hatch. If having all females is extremely important to you (municipality rules, you already have too many roosters, etc.), then choosing Sex Link strains of chickens may be your best option. Please note that the sex-linking trait in these birds is not passed down to future generations. Therefore, if you breed Red Sex Links or Black Sex Links, you will not be able to sort their offspring using this trait.
Can I Feather Sex my Chicks?
In some chicken breeds, you can use feather sexing to identify female and male chicks. However, this method is quite limited since you cannot sort most breeds by examining feathers. Surprisingly, you can use feather sexing to sort a large portion of broiler chickens. To use this technique, hold the chick upright, fully extend one wing, and check for two layers of feathers on the wing (top = covert feathers; bottom = primary feathers). If the top feathers are shorter than the bottom feathers, the chick is female. If the top feathers are the same length or longer, the chick is male. Feather sexing only works when you select chicks that come from certain cross-bred breeds that produce hybrid offspring. If you plan to use feather sexing, make sure you understand the age limitations, breed restrictions, and the required genetic hybrids before starting.
Sorting Female and Male Chicks by Growth Characteristics
The best way to determine if you have male or female chicks is to be patient. Mother Nature will reveal the answer as they grow. Even with all the techniques mentioned, you can’t be 100% sure until chicks start showing male or female traits. Around 5-6 weeks of age, you’ll begin to notice differences. Male chicks often develop larger, more defined combs and wattles. Their legs are sturdier and bigger, and they usually grow larger than females. By 6 weeks, I can usually tell if my flock is all female or if I have a rooster. However, some breeds make it harder to know until males begin crowing. It’s also worth noting that some female chickens grow spurs, so that isn’t always a reliable indicator. Keeping poultry is a rewarding experience! At Kalmbach Feeds®, we’re here to help. If you have questions about bird nutrition, feed options, or poultry care, reach out. We’re excited to keep writing about topics you care about and learning more about your flocks! Stay tuned and thank you for choosing Kalmbach Feeds®!
Article Source: Nancy Jefferson, Ph.D. written for Kalmbach Feeds.