How early can you sex a pekin chick?

[Anonymous]

The subject header says it all, really.
I'd love to hatch some eggs, but am not really set up for that and am worried about cockerels. I was wondering whether you can get young-ish pekin female chicks? that way I could at least partake in some of the excitement of rearing.
I'm planning to get some from Sue at VP but not sure how young/old they will be.
I've got a separate set up available for them if they were too young to go in with the other pekins (2 x June, 2 x October hatching).

 

[pebojuno]

Hi, I can usually sex them at about 5-6 weeks. The combs and wattles are far redder on the males. They are certainly easier to sex than some of the larger breeds I have- orpingtons are the hardest I have as they take a long time to mature!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that Pebojuno.
Would I need any special equipment for chicks of that age, other that separate quarters?

 

[snifter]

Dependant on the time of year and their feathering, you may need a heat lamp for them. I tend not to take chicks off heat till at least 6-8 weeks old. It may be they only have the heat lamp on overnight and natural sunlight in the daytime, but they will probably still need something till their feathering comes through more fully.

 

[pebojuno]

Agree with the above At that age mine have access to the great outdoors and also to a warm area with lamps that I turn on at night- We put our lamp on a dimmer switch and just turn it down now and then until they are fully feathered and hardy. If there are a few of them they keep each other warm to some extent too.
Sue will be able to help you regarding sexing and if you follow what she has been doing with them so far you won't go wrong- ie. if they are already off heat leave them that way. Good luck!