[langdon]

how old is tge tge chick when you can tell if its
a hen or a cockerel

[shetlandpaul]

you can tell at a couple of days old by looking at there light feathers i still need to practice this more before using it to cull the males. however its pretty good. ive never tryed the vent method. if you miss the first week then you just wait and see.

[Roxy]

I can tell a Maran cockerel, and hen, as there is a distinct difference in their grey feathers.  Its not easy with some breeds though.  If you look closely, the males comb appears sooner, although not always.  Twice I have been certain I had silkie pullets and both turned into cockerels.  The only sure way of knowing, is that first cock a doodle doooo........and you have that sinking feeling.  Its a known fact that you always hatch more cockerels than pullet

And do not ask me why Langdon, cos I do not know!!

[Touchwood]

It does depend on the breed and as already said the only sure fired way is to wait till they crow. When we hatched our first lot, after a week or so we were so sure we could sex that we named them. As it turned out Buffy made a lovely dinner, while curry and vindaloo are still around and happily laying 

[Helencus]

I did the feather method day 5 so I think I have 5 and 5 but we will see!

[langdon]

i thought you said ' keep those questions coming '

so 

[Hermit]

There are a few crosses that auto sex. We cross RIR cockerel with Light Sussex hens for meat birds. The boys are hatched white and the girls hatch brown so straight from the first second you can tell what you have got. You will have to look up what other crosses do this.

[shetlandpaul]

thats true and legbars are easy too.

[Roxy]

Yes, I did say keep the questions coming ....but I did not say I would be able to answer them all

[langdon]

lol