Testing the sexing methods! Week by week, different breeds

Black Langshans

Langshan #1: Wing test


This one's feathers were hard to make out - there appeared to be short feathers nestled between the long ones, but it was hard to say for sure. This one could go either way based on the wing test.

Langshan #1: Wing & tail feather development


Hard to say - definitely has wing feathers, but they are small. Has a prickly butt where new feathers are coming in under the fluff. This one is more pullet-like than the blue cochin but could be a roo too based on these tests.


Langshan #2: Wing test


A bit blurry, but this one has a short-long pattern (pullet).

Langshan #2: Wing & tail feather development


Pretty much like #1 in terms of wing and tail feathers.


It's hard to say what these two are. The wing test says number 2 is a pullet, but we couldn't tell with number 1.


Overall, for all 13 chicks, the tests say that one of the blue cochins is a cockerel, and possibly one of the black langshans, and that the rest are pullets. The odds of only 1 of 13 being a cockerel is 1 in more than 220,000,000 so highly unlikely. If it turns out to be true, I'm running to buy a lottery ticket!

- Susan

ChickNanny13 said:

I remember doing that but without much success For your own info, write you findings down and WAIT! Patience is really hard but around 4wks, you should notice their combs. Cockerels combs will turn redder & be bigger that Pullets. Post pictures of their combs when they're about 4 - 6wks. They are cute!

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It's really just for fun - I'm happy to wait four weeks because they are just soooo cute right now, and they change so quickly! I don't expect these methods will work, but it's fun to document things now so we can look back later. I will post more pictures when I see differences in their combs.

-Susan

junebuggena said:

1. Sexing by wing feathers requires a very specific set of genetics to be accurate. None of your chosen breeds are sexable by wing feathering.
2. This method is pure myth.
3. Like wing sexing, sexing by the growth rate of feathers is inaccurate. For it to be accurate, you must be certain that the rooster was pure for fast feathering, and the hen was pure for slow feathering genes.
4. Is reliable, since there is a little thing called sexual dimorphism in birds, where males look much different from females with the same color/pattern genetics. Unfortunately, it's not until a chick is mostly feathered that these differences are clearly visible.

Comb development is the most accurate way to spot young cockerels. Any chick with a bright red comb, regardless of breed, by 10 weeks old is a cockerel.

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Bummer! But it's fun checking out the various sexing methods that have been touted as reliable... and presumably proving them wrong (although in this case I'd be thrilled if by some fluke these chicks defied the odds and turned out to be 12 pullets and 1 roo!)

I find personality is a big factor but I've only hatched pekin bantams (cochin bantams to those of you in the US) so it might just be the breed. The boys are bold and curious right from the start whereas the girls hang back and stay close to their mum.

I feather sexed most of mine and seem pretty accurate. The buff ones look to be all pullets, the dorkings look like a pair, austrolorps looks like a pair, polish are pullets, and the blue and white Cochins look like Roos.

nate1the1great1 said:

I feather sexed most of mine and seem pretty accurate. The buff ones look to be all pullets, the dorkings look like a pair, austrolorps looks like a pair, polish are pullets, and the blue and white Cochins look like Roos.

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Thanks, Nate - that's really helpful! I will post an update when they are older and their combs are coming in.

spotter said:

Thanks, Nate - that's really helpful!

I will post an update when they are older and their combs are coming in.

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What was the verdic for the black polish?

I'm curious how this turned out. I have 36 chicks right now and they are five days old....I wanna know what I got.

Whatever came of this??