how will I know ... if it's female when I buy?

[PirateGirl]

This article was just featured, it might help you understand a bit better...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rs-what-they-are-and-how-to-breed-them.65934/

 

[Coykoi]

Well I got 4 females. There is a very strong possibility out of the four--2 are male. What are the odds of one person getting half males out of 300-400 chicks? Pretty good odds, if your me.

That was the outcome with my first four "female" chicks, two turned out to be cockrels. The next time I bought sex-links = 100% females.

 

[Blooie]

Hatched 9. Got 9 roos. <sigh>

 

[lazy gardener]

Sex linked birds is one way to be almost 100% positive you end up with all females. However, there is a down side to the hatchery sex linked bird: They tend to spit out eggs rapidly for the first season or two. They also tend to succumb to reproductive failure shortly after that second season. If you do not intend to replace your birds every 2 years, then I recommend that you do not get sex links. Also, be well informed. Many sex links come with cutesy little names, such as "Cinnamon Queen, Amber Link, Golden Comet...".

 

[Blooie]

... Red Star, Isa Browns.....

 

[Coykoi]

Hatched 9. Got 9 roos. <sigh>

Oh, that is incredibly rare bad luck!

 

[lazy gardener]

Let's hear some more sex link cutesy names!!!

 

[Blooie]

You covered most of them, and I ran out, LG!

 

[lazy gardener]

Black Star.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you're planning on getting started pullets but don't want sex-links, you can still use coloring to ID sexes in some breeds where males and females show different coloring as their feathers grow in (such as Welsummers). Most feed stores don't carry started pullets so you'd probably be buying through Craigslist or a local farm, so if you don't already have a place to purchase from in mind, I'd start looking around now.