Is there a way to sex young bantams?

[Chicken Heel]

I've already reserved the chicks and made an appointment at the hatchery to pick them up. They said they would take any roos back, but I was hoping there might be a way to tell while I'm there. Thanks anyway though!

That "we'll take any roosters back" line has been around a long time but good luck. Part of the fun of raising chickens for me has been trying to figure out what the sexes are as the birds mature. And I do enjoy getting miscellaneous breeds and figuring those out as well as they mature.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Well, if they don't take the potential rooster(s) back, then there is a really nice far sanctuary not far from here who I'm sure would take him/them. Hopefully I don't get any roosters, but if I do, they will definitely have someplace to go. But yes, you're right. It is kind of fun to try and guess what they are.

 

[keesmom]

So, I just found out that some new chicks I'm getting are not going to be sexed. I am going to use the wing sexing method on the Easter Eggers, but I know that doesn't work on bantams.

Feather sexing does not work on most chicks. They need to be selectively bred for that trait by using a fast feathering male over a slow feathering female.

 

[SueT]

What hatchery? Will they really let you pick through the chicks they've set aside for you? When I've picked up chicks at 2 MO hatcheries, you get what they hand you, you can't ask to sort thru more. They are too busy for that. And you don't get to go in the back to pick your own, due to biosecurity.
Unsexed chicks are going to average 50% male. If you aren't a vegetarian, you can eat the males.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Feather sexing does not work on most chicks. They need to be selectively bred for that trait by using a fast feathering male over a slow feathering female.

Really? Everything I saw said it worked on all chicks...

What hatchery? Will they really let you pick through the chicks they've set aside for you? When I've picked up chicks at 2 MO hatcheries, you get what they hand you, you can't ask to sort thru more. They are too busy for that. And you don't get to go in the back to pick your own, due to biosecurity.
Unsexed chicks are going to average 50% male. If you aren't a vegetarian, you can eat the males.

They know that I can only have females, so I will be able to pick through them. Also, since the hatchery is kind of small (it is called V&R homestead), they will have enough time to help me.
I know the percentage of males is going to be quite large, but as I said, they said they would take back any roosters, and if they don't the rooster would go to a farm sanctuary. I could never eat a chicken I have known since it was a little chick.

 

[keesmom]

Really? Everything I saw said it worked on all chicks...

If feather sexing worked on every chick hatcheries would have no need for vent sexers. Most chicks are vent sexed.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Oh, okay. Thank you for letting me know. I guess I'll just have to do my best in guessing!