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Australorps breed Thread
- Thread starter call ducks
- Start date
Australorp chicks have a lot of white until they molt to their "adult" feathers
Hi BA sexers,
the early sexing of BA's is a bit of a perennial on this forum. We've discussed lots of theories and the 'wing' one is an interesting addition. I'm not too bad with other breeds I keep, but I've declared numbers of times that I'm not good with BA's. I'd venture to say that difficulty in early sexing might be a breed characteristic, Ron! Of course, you get variations between strains. When you're familiar with how your own strain develops, it becomes a bit easier. The problem is that there is variation within strains, so that not all individuals develop at the same rate or even at times in the same way. Good luck with any method you try. I have a friend who claims 80% accuracy on young chicks by waving a crystal over 'em! I expressed my scepticism(actually called her a 'hippy-tripper'), and she replied that when I could get 80% accuracy, then I could scoff. As that's never likely to happen, I shut up!
Cheers Geoff
the early sexing of BA's is a bit of a perennial on this forum. We've discussed lots of theories and the 'wing' one is an interesting addition. I'm not too bad with other breeds I keep, but I've declared numbers of times that I'm not good with BA's. I'd venture to say that difficulty in early sexing might be a breed characteristic, Ron! Of course, you get variations between strains. When you're familiar with how your own strain develops, it becomes a bit easier. The problem is that there is variation within strains, so that not all individuals develop at the same rate or even at times in the same way. Good luck with any method you try. I have a friend who claims 80% accuracy on young chicks by waving a crystal over 'em! I expressed my scepticism(actually called her a 'hippy-tripper'), and she replied that when I could get 80% accuracy, then I could scoff. As that's never likely to happen, I shut up!
Cheers Geoff
Hi again,
a bit more culling advice from Peter D'Arcy. At around 3 months he culls birds with dark toenails, oval eyes, light eyes and dark soles of feet. Over the next period individuals are culled as the following become apparent - knock knees, wry tails, roach back, white tips on feathers. He then focusses on the positives. He looks for good breadth right through to the tail, wings carried horizontally, fine texture in face with no brows or ridges, round shins, dark beak and black, round eyes. He sprays their legs with WD40 ( the stuff used for loosening nuts and bolts!) for mites. Apparently, it also helps loosen those stubborn scales we find on older boys. He also keeps combs "fresh" with a cream or oil. Hope some find this of interest.
Cheers Geoff
a bit more culling advice from Peter D'Arcy. At around 3 months he culls birds with dark toenails, oval eyes, light eyes and dark soles of feet. Over the next period individuals are culled as the following become apparent - knock knees, wry tails, roach back, white tips on feathers. He then focusses on the positives. He looks for good breadth right through to the tail, wings carried horizontally, fine texture in face with no brows or ridges, round shins, dark beak and black, round eyes. He sprays their legs with WD40 ( the stuff used for loosening nuts and bolts!) for mites. Apparently, it also helps loosen those stubborn scales we find on older boys. He also keeps combs "fresh" with a cream or oil. Hope some find this of interest.
Cheers Geoff
- Feb 20, 2013
- 92
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I have a B.A. hen, and just put her eggs down with my blue wyandotte roo any have a pic of a wyandotte B.A. cross?
I have seen a heap of early sexing methods tried, but only relied on the waiting method.
I had a pair of Blue Australorps that I desperately wanted to be pullets. A local breeder on here @CB and CG recommends reliable sexing by comb width. The height and colour indicators come in later, but the early sign (and he was 100% right very early with my two) is how wide the comb is, as in thickness.
He asked me for a straight on shot of my two birds and with high confidence called it. Later confirmed correct by the 'wait and see method'
The sample pics provided, I think they were 2-3 weeks old from memory.
Unfortunately though, I don't have the matching pullet image to compare to.
I had a pair of Blue Australorps that I desperately wanted to be pullets. A local breeder on here @CB and CG recommends reliable sexing by comb width. The height and colour indicators come in later, but the early sign (and he was 100% right very early with my two) is how wide the comb is, as in thickness.
He asked me for a straight on shot of my two birds and with high confidence called it. Later confirmed correct by the 'wait and see method'
The sample pics provided, I think they were 2-3 weeks old from memory.
Unfortunately though, I don't have the matching pullet image to compare to.
Hi Ben,
I'm presuming that they were both cockerels???? Never heard of this method. Interesting, but need more detail on what indicates what!!!
Cheers Geoff
I'm presuming that they were both cockerels???? Never heard of this method. Interesting, but need more detail on what indicates what!!!
Cheers Geoff
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