The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Declan on February 15, 2010, 12:21:33 am

Title: Young birds bickering
Post by: Declan on February 15, 2010, 12:21:33 am
not unlike the cockeral scrapping item below- I have 5 light sussex about 8 weeks old and there are 2 more or less constantly bickering- no real hard contact yet just heckles up and jumping up in front of each other. Will i let them be- surely they are still too young to do any damage to each other.
Another thing i suppose related- with the light sussex breed cananyone advise on the tell tale signs of the males or females at this age?

Declan
Title: Re: Young birds bickering
Post by: doganjo on February 15, 2010, 09:40:40 am
Maybe you just answered your own question - watch those two - if they are jumping up at each other at 8 weeks I'd lay money on them being cockerels ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Young birds bickering
Post by: northfifeduckling on February 15, 2010, 01:05:12 pm
Annie, noooo! One of my 2 youngsters is doing it to the 3 older girls as well, though, there is hope.... :&> :chook:
Title: Re: Young birds bickering
Post by: joyofchicks on February 15, 2010, 03:32:18 pm
I raised Light Sussex chicks last Summer.  I bought hatching eggs to place under my silkie/araucana cross who spends her life being broody!  She raised 3 chicks which turned out to be two girls and a boy.  Being my first time, I took LOADS of pictures!  Here is one of the girls and the boy at 7 weeks old.  The boy is on the right.  His comb is slightly bigger and is redder - hers is smaller and more 'peach' in colour.  Not very technical I know but the only way I could tell at this early stage.  They are now 26 weeks old and I have lots more pictures...
Title: Re: Young birds bickering
Post by: northfifeduckling on February 15, 2010, 07:30:29 pm
mine are about 16 weeks now, some time to go   :chook: :&>