Sexing Chicks Week Old

 

SEXING WEEK-OLD CHICKS

When you go to buy chicks, oftentimes they are already 3 to 7 days old. In many breeds the pullets feather out slightly faster than cockerels, giving you a way to perhaps visually sex the chicks.

Females tend to develop tail feathers much more quickly than males for the first two weeks. Similarly, females have wing feathers that have grown slightly faster – and appear longer – than male chicks of the same age.

Males will often still have fluff nub tails at 7 days old where pullets will have visible tail feathers developing.

The 7 days old female on the right has begun developing visible tail feathers while the male on the left has not. Notice her wing feathers are also longer.

Please note that pullets will only feather out faster for the first couple of weeks. Around 15 days old male and female chicks will have similar-looking wings and tails.