Determining the sex of chickens with certainty can be challenging, even for professional chicken sexers. However, there are a few clues that can help, although they are not foolproof:

Feet size: When very young, before feathers start appearing, you can compare the size of their feet. Roosters tend to have larger feet, which can be an indicator, although it is accurate only about 80% of the time.

Behavior and size: In a flock of chicks, rooster chicks may exhibit slightly larger size and more adventurous behavior compared to hen chicks. They might show signs of assertiveness even at a young age.

Pre-sexed chicks: If possible, consider purchasing pre-sexed chicks, as this increases the likelihood of getting female chicks. It’s not a guarantee, but it improves the odds slightly.

Feather development: As chicks start to feather out, you can observe their tail feathers. Roosters tend to have tail feathers that stick straight up, while hens are more likely to have tail feathers pointing horizontally or downward. However, this method is not 100% accurate.

Despite these clues, there are instances where chickens can surprise you. I had a Wyandotte hen with small feet, tail feathers pointing downward, and non-aggressive behavior, only to discover later that “she” grew long red wattles and started crowing. It turned out to be a wonderful rooster that my flock loved, but it certainly fooled me.

Keep in mind that determining the sex of chicks can still have some uncertainty, and professional assistance or pre-sexed chicks can help increase the chances of obtaining the desired gender.