Sexing chicks under 4 weeks old

[Muser]

I have studied the internet far and wide for tips, tricks and methods of sexing chicks under 4 weeks old... Is it really impossible to tell?

I have 7 chicks, all under 2 weeks old, but I'm convinced 2 of them are boys. One has a comb coming in already and does little charges at it's hatch mates. The other is slow feathering and is the only one to chest bump the one previously mentioned, but it has 0 comb. Is it really pointless even looking when they are this young? I stare daily at their comb and feather development. Help! It drives me insane... I don't like waiting, even though I know I must!

Does anyone have similar experiences of raising chicks and does it usually end up this way or am I making assumptions before giving them chance to be hens?

 

[The Coop Crew]

It is way too early to tell unfortunately. Unless you have chicks that are able to be sexed at hatch by their color/markings you won’t know until much later.
I know they do a thing called “vent sexing” but it is dangerous and really shouldn’t be done by anyone except an expert.
I know it’s hard to wait but it’s also fun to keep guessing as they grow!

 

[nuthatched]

Comb and wattles. Should be able in 2-3 weeks.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It really depends on the individual bird. Most of the time I can tell by 2-3 weeks who my cockerels are and unfortunately none have surprised me being a pullet in disguise yet lol

 

[corvidRouxster]

Chiming in but yes, it can vary by breed how features may develop. Usually this time around is still a bit early.

I've seen larger/redder combs/waddles for males at the age when it does start to show when compared to the females from the same age/hatch group. Not always a surefire way but it can help as a guide of possibility at the time.

I'd personally say wait a bit until they're older when it's certain to see the traits, such as pointed neck/saddle feathers for males, and rounded feathers in the same areas for females.

 

[LaurenRitz]

No, not impossible but it takes practice. Someone experienced can often tell within a day or two, but still can be surprised.

Behavior is only one indicator. I go by a number of different techniques and come up with an agregate possibility. Often right, but still only a guess.

The only absolute I have found, and it may just be my inexperience talking, is that any chick with a white wing "cap" has always turned out to be a cockerel. So far, no exceptions. Unfortunately it doesn't work the other way.

(Both those turned out to be cockerels, although I could have sworn the one on the left was female)

In this picture you can see that he has no head stripe, much more down than his sister the same age, and the white wing cap. They have passed the age where wing or tail sexing is useful.

Feathering
Tail feathering
Down
Behavior
Presence or absence of a head stripe
White wing cap