BABY CHICK: SIGHT SEXING
There are various traditional sexing methods to assist to identify male/ female chickens. Different methods are used based on breed, age, and comb types. Traditional sexing methods vary in percent of accuracy. While sight sexing can offer clues, it is often uncertain until crow or egg laying. Traditional sexing methods keep families searching for clues in the sexing mystery until crow or egg gifting. Investing in DNA sexing is the only truly accurate method.
Breed: Rhode Island
Male chicks have lighter shade on their down over the web of the wing, but female chicks do not. After the chick's down is shed, it will no longer be visible. The size of the spot varies greatly, leading to 10% inaccuracy.
Breed: Barred Plymouth Rock
The "barring" plumage pattern on Barred Plymouth Rock chicks allows the males and females to be differentiated at birth. The white dot on a female’s head is a defined spot while the male’s white dot is an undefined spot often running into his neck. The color of their legs and feet are also different as chicks. Male leg pigment is also lighter than his female counterpart. This sexing method is about 90% accurate.
