BBS Marans chicks

[Cloverr39]

This is my first time raising Marans chicks, so I have no clue how easy/hard they are to sex and when's the best time to do it.

I'd normally wait longer, but I noticed a significant difference in wing and tail growth in my chicks, and was wondering if it had anything to with the gender in Marans. I've raised other non-bantam chicks, and every time if there was a big difference like this, it meant the ones growing wings and tails first were pullets.

They're 1 week old. Chick 3 is a Marans mix, not a Marans. Some I'm not sure if they're copper or copper/non-copper mixes, but I would assume that makes no difference at this age.

Chick 1: Blue, shorter wings, no tail, overall a large chick compared to its siblings.
Chick 2: Blue, longer wings and growing a tail.
Chick 3: Black, Marans mix, short wings, no tail.
Chick 4: Black copper Marans, longer wings, growing a tail.
Chick 5: Splash, shorter wings, no tail, a large chick.
Chick 6: Splash, longer wings, growing a tail.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Way too young to tell at this age my friend.
I’d wait till 4-5 weeks before we can accurately tell.

I always think I have it sussed with wing and tails and then they grow up and it’s all different, so I’d wait for the faces to tell you.

Feel free to update us on the International Marans thread, they’re very welcome there:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-to-the-sop.1122465/page-2555#post-28633203

 

[LaFleche]

With Marans the slow feathering gene can be expressed in both genders, although in my experience it is seen more often in males than females.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

With Marans the slow feathering gene can be expressed in both genders, although in my experience it is seen more often in males than females.

I always think this, and then get slow feathering females and quick feathering males, so I always like to wait.
But of course, it depends on the strain, maybe this one is more reliable than mine.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Congrats on your cute Marans littles. I agree with too early to tell.