Brahma Bantams

[Lesean2016]

I’ve noticed pullets feather in faster than cockerels. But I’d go more by comb development to determine gender.

I have brahma bantams. I read on a couple of other websites that the males tend to feather slower. I do have one that is definitely slow feathering. The other one has almost a whole feathered wing at this point. They are 8 days old.

 

[Gray Farms]

In large breed Brahmas cockerels are typically slower to feather in than pullets. But would never swear by it. Maybe 75% accurate I think.

 

[Lesean2016]

Here are the two bantams in question. Both are the same age of 8 days. It's such an extreme difference in the rate of feathering I wondered if there may be truth behind it. Will be neat to see if it works out that way.

 

[Ladybird CA]

I wish I had pictures of the cockerels I raised that were slow feathering compared to the hens. I had a Cochin that had chick down at 6 weeks but was the size of the other chicks. My mom also raised chickens to sell for several years and said the ones that had tiny bits of feathers when the other ones of the same age had full wings turned out to be roosters.

Wing sexing, on the other hand, I’ve read is only able to be determined on some breeds up to 4 days of age.

 

[drumstick diva]

I would just let them develop till 6-8 weeks and then make determinations.

 

[Lesean2016]

A little update just for fun on the slow feathering bantam brahma. The light colored one is the suspect roo. The gold one is exact same age.