How do you determine the sex of a baby chicken?

Answer 1

Cradle the bird on its back in both hands, then run a forefinger along the keel bone (it runs down the mid-line from the breast). At the end of the keel bone there's a space, toward the vent, 2 small thin bones will come together in a "V". If you can fit a small finger between where they come together, you have a hen(this is where the egg passes). If they are only 1cm-2cm apart, you have a cock. Older hens and cocks are easier to sex this way-it doesn't work well with the chicks.

another way to tell is that hens look more feminine or fine around the head,neck & body and are generally smaller. Cocks are thicker in the neck , are more masculine looking and usually bigger bodied.

Answer 2

Sexing chicks is a very difficult job to do well.

Vent sexing or identifying the sex of a day old chick by looking at its sexual organs is done by very few, very well trained people. It takes a long time to learn how to identify the more than 15 different shapes.

Feather sexing is based on feather characteristics that differ between male and female chicks.The feather appearances are determined by specially selected genetic traits that must be present in the chick strain. Most breeds of chickens do not have these feather sexing characteristics and the feathering of both sexes appear identical.

The easiest method of sexing chickens by the small flock owner is to care for the birds until they begin showing the natural secondary characteristics of their sex. In males, the combs and wattles will become larger than those on females and the head will become more angular and masculine looking. The female will remain smaller than the male and is more refined or feminine looking. Sexing based on secondary sex characteristics can usually be done after chicks are 4 to 6 weeks of age.

Answer 3

Sexing young chickens is an extremely difficult task that most people hire professional chick sexers to do. Sexing young chickens is very important if you're looking to sell or breed the chickens later in life.

Answer 4

Sexing of day old chicks is a difficult job to do well.

Vent sexing or identifying the sex of a day old chick by looking at its sexual organs is done by very few, very well trained people. It takes a long time to learn how to identify the more than 15 different shapes of the cloaca. Chicks are often damaged or killed by squeezing them too hard when done by a novice handler and unless you know how to do this well, do not attempt it. Feather sexing is based on feather characteristics that differ between male and female chicks.The feather appearances are determined by specially selected genetic traits called sex-link that must be present in the chick strain. Most breeds of chickens do not have these feather sexing characteristics and the feathering of both sexes appear identical. Day old birds sold at hatcheries are sometimes offered with this genetic trait. The best and easiest method of sexing chickens by the novice small flock owner is to care for the birds until they begin showing the natural secondary characteristics of their gender. In males, the combs and wattles will become larger than those on females and the head will become more angular and masculine looking. The female will remain smaller than the male and is more refined or feminine looking. At about two months old and if the chickens are free range, tossing something over their heads will produce a noticeable reaction that will help. The hens will put their heads down and remain still, the roosters among the flock will look up and run around looking for the perceived danger.

Answer 5

You usually cannot tell the sex of a chick until it is 4-6 weeks of age. Then, when you pick up a rooster it will freak out and when you pick up a hen it will calmly pull its legs into its stomach or just let its legs dangle.

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Actually, I've had many hens "freak out", trying to flap and/or wriggle free when picked up.

Also, it is possible to sex day-olds, though mistakes are not uncommon since it is still difficult. Sexing of very young chicks is generally done either by looking at the vent (genitals) or wing feathers. If you look at any hatchery catalogue you will generally see an option to get either all male, all female, or unsexed/mixed chicks (even for day-olds).

Answer 6

The best method of sexing chickens by the novice small flock owner is to care for the birds until they begin showing the natural secondary characteristics of their gender. In males, the combs and wattles will become larger than those on females and the head will become more angular and masculine looking. The female will remain smaller than the male and is more refined or feminine looking. At about two months old and if the chickens are free range, tossing something over their heads will produce a noticeable reaction that will help. The hens will put their heads down and remain still, the roosters among the flock will look up and run around looking for the perceived danger.

Answer 7

Baby chicken (gender unimpotant): Chick

Young male chicken: Cockerel

Young female chicken: Pullet

Female chicken: Hen

Male chicken: Cock

Answer 8

Here are a few links about sexing chicks.

Answer 9

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