can tail feathers indicate which sex they are?

[4eggsonly]

I have been looking at the tail feathers in all of my chickens to see the differences and similarities. I wasn't sure if there was any certain thing to look for other than the tail feathers that seem to go up and then curve downward in roosters. I have one that I was sure was a hen until it started crowing yesterday. Now I can also see that the tail feathers are curling downward. This one is the oldest of the 6. Now that he is showing signs of being a rooster, I wonder if the younger ones will be soon too? They are only about 2 weeks younger.

 

[teach1rusl]

The only feathers I know to look for (tail-wise) are the saddle feathers...the feathers that drape down along the base of the tail - they're long and skinny compared to other tail feathers. Males will have them (not sure if sebright males have them or not??), while females won't.

 

[hdowden]

pics??

 

[4eggsonly]

#1 Here you can see the green/black tail feathers. They look more black in the 2nd picture, but in the sunlight you can see the greenish color.



#2 This one also has a couple.


#3 This one also has a few on the top tail feather area.

 

[donrae]

How old are these birds?

First one, can't see well enough to tell. The second and third birds I think are both roos. The second one is definate, the third one I think due to the shading on the wings and the thick legs.

 

[4eggsonly]

The first two are about 10 weeks old and the third one is about 11 to 12 weeks old.