Australorps breed Thread

[gotro17]

Hi again, everyone! I found BA eggs to hatch and we are setting 24+... Any tips on sexing? I'm keeping as many as 5, but, that still leaves a lot to sell... It's easier to call no joy and advertise straight run, but, between my own to keep and a few I want to gift to new to chicken friends, I'd like to have some clues. Thank you!!!

 

[Birdrain92]

Hi again, everyone! I found BA eggs to hatch and we are setting 24+... Any tips on sexing? I'm keeping as many as 5, but, that still leaves a lot to sell... It's easier to call no joy and advertise straight run, but, between my own to keep and a few I want to gift to new to chicken friends, I'd like to have some clues. Thank you!!!

If you're comfortable you can try vent sexing. I've seen some use primary feather sexing for just day old chicks before. Never got the chance to try it myself. I know that later when the wing is in you can use the secondary feathers to sex them.

 

[gotro17]

If you're comfortable you can try vent sexing. I've seen some use primary feather sexing for just day old chicks before. Never got the chance to try it myself. I know that later when the wing is in you can use the secondary feathers to sex them.

I tried the feather sexing and we'll see how accurate that was...but not for months. How do you sex by secondary feathers?

 

[ronott1]

For BAs, it is vent sexing only. None of the feather sexing works for them.

They are not on the list as sexable that way and those trying it on here have never been able to get results better than chance.

 

[Birdrain92]

I tried the feather sexing and we'll see how accurate that was...but not for months. How do you sex by secondary feathers?

Pullet

Cockerel

For BAs, it is vent sexing only. None of the feather sexing works for them.

They are not on the list as sexable that way and those trying it on here have never been able to get results better than chance.

With every breed and chicken I've raised it has worked. They are not any special birds some are hatchery and some have been show birds.

 

[ronott1]

Pullet

Cockerel


With every breed and chicken I've raised it has worked. They are not any special birds some are hatchery and some have been show birds.

We are talking at hatch though. I have not seen results in the 90 plus percent range using feather sexing on BAs at hatch.

For BAs you need to wait until the combs and wattles grow out--especially if you are selling them. Guaranteed very angry customers when half of their pullets start crowing.

Hatcheries like McMurray use vent sexing because feather sexing will not work for BAs.

 

[Gramma Chick]

YES ...By this age it should be no mystery which is a pullet and which is a cockerel

 

[justdishy]

Here are our eggs for this week (7 days.) notice the BA eggs on right, going up around the back. 14/14. Two hens, a nice egg each day

.

 

[Birdrain92]

YES ...By this age it should be no mystery which is a pullet and which is a cockerel

The secondary feather sexing just requires it the secondary feathers to be in no other feathers. I just don't have any pictures on younger chicks. I know vent sexing works. I've heard of primary feather sexing but I haven't done it myself so I don't entirely suggest it.

That's a lot of eggs!

We are talking at hatch though. I have not seen results in the 90 plus percent range using feather sexing on BAs at hatch.

For BAs you need to wait until the combs and wattles grow out--especially if you are selling them. Guaranteed very angry customers when half of their pullets start crowing.

Hatcheries like McMurray use vent sexing because feather sexing will not work for BAs.

You don't have to wait for the combs and wattle to be grown out. Also if you're going to do the redness of the comb there are times that fails. I prefer using their feathers, wing, saddle, hackle/neck, back feathers. Because if you go completely off of the color of the comb than my rooster should've been a pullet.

5 month old pullet.

2 month old cockerel

3 month old cockerel

5 month old cockerel. Using the comb and wattle method since his comb is more pale than my pullets he should be a pullet and my pullets should be cockerels. It's always best to know and use more than 1 method.

 

[Gramma Chick]

5 month old cockerel. Using the comb and wattle method since his comb is more pale than my pullets he should be a pullet and my pullets should be cockerels. It's always best to know and use more than 1 method.

I Agree it is best to use all that you can ..to figure it out