Feather Sexing Italian and Courtnix Quail

[roseleaf]

Hi all,
Here with the laboured topic of feather sexing golden and brown courtnix.

I can clearly see the difference between the sexes for most of my quail. They are 3 1/2 weeks old now.
I do however have 4 with very mild spotting on their chest .
Does ANY spotting immediately mean female?
Some males have spotting surrounding their chest but clearly have no spots on their chest. To what extent can the spots encroach onto the chest before being a female?
First looks like a brown roo to me, but has some light spotting. Second is an italian, again light spotting. Third same again and fourth is a brown, are these all female?
Thanks in advance for help, I hope it helps others too.

 

[paneubert]

I would go with all males. The first being the one I am least confident about. In my experience it is more about lack of uniform spotting means male. If the spotting is seen around the edges but it is clearly lacking from the center of the chest, then male. You will be able to tell if these are boys in another week or so if you let them all stay in the same pen!

 

[roseleaf]

Great thank you so much for your help. I'll keep them all with me until old enough to vent sex and I'll post updated photos of how the feathers turn out and what sexes they are. I had a feeling they were male as all my females are very obviously spotted. I am also interested to see what the first one turns out to be. I can always hope for female! New to quail and LOVE these amazing little birds.