2 of 18 Male or female?

[3RaGaNo]

Is Winky male or female?

Any suggestions on how we can 'mark' them so we know which ones we have taken pics of? We have only named 4 of the 18. Winky has a yellow eyebrow over her/his left eye.

 

[<3ChickenForever]

Hmmm... check the spurs and it might be a female... I'm not sure.

 

[happyhens44]

Im leaning toward pullet, But winkys a hard one!

 

[3RaGaNo]

Should we try to get a better angle? And which angle would it be? Her back, or legs maybe????

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Quote:
I am asking for an angle that would allow me to see how developed the comb is... more of a side head shot. I can't tell due to lighting and angle if there is a sign of wattles yet or not. Usually by 4 weeks old, if it is a cockerel than you will see reddening where wattles are forming and the comb will be more pronounced than on pullets.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Quote:
Go to a Rite Aid, WalMart, or CVS and get a roll of medical tape. It comes off easier than zip ties do, and you can color code the strips with sharpies.

This is what I do with mine on Day 3 when I wing-feather sex my chicks.

 

[halmar]

What is wing-feather sexing?

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Quote:
Here are two photos examples that I took of my most recent mutts. This can be done with ANY 2-3 day old chick, by the way.

COCKEREL

PULLET

 

[CarrieW]

Can you explain more about the feather sexing? The pictures are great, but what exactly are we looking at/for? Thanks!

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Quote:
Definitely!

What you are looking at is the section of wing from their "elbow" to their shoulder.
What you are looking for is this: Note how this section of wing is less developed on the cockerel than on the pullet. The cockerel also has only one layer of feathers that runs along this section of wing, where the pullet has a double layer(roos don't need the extra insulation, as they do not brood).