Feather Sexing Marans and Ameraucanas?

[BluebirdHomestead]

Are either of these breeds able to be feather sexed as day olds? I’ve read Ameraucanas (true Ameraucanas not EE) can but can’t find clear info about the Marans. Would love tips! I know it’s not a sure way to sex them, but I’d like to give it a go as an experiment.

 

[Folly's place]

The chicks that I've had of both breeds were not able to be feather sexed; neither breeder bred for that trait. Other people may have different experiences, depending on the genetics of the chicks.
Mary

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

The chicks that I've had of both breeds were not able to be feather sexed; neither breeder bred for that trait. Other people may have different experiences, depending on the genetics of the chicks.
Mary

I guess I’ll just have to grow them out then! Thanks.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

Anyone else able to chime in with experiences?

 

[FlomatonsFlocks]

Not sure yet but our now grown hens, at about a week old the ones with the longer tail feathers were girls for us.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

Not sure yet but our now grown hens, at about a week old the ones with the longer tail feathers were girls for us.

Thank you for this! I’ll keep an eye on the tails as they come in. Babies hatched on wed and thurs

 

[FlomatonsFlocks]

Not a problem! Let us know about the feather sexing and we will chime in in the future after we have enough hatch to find out ourselves! Thanks!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Agreeing with Mary (@Folly's place), from what I've heard the chicks need to have certain genetics to be accurately feather sexed. I think the genes were that of a slow feathering male and fast feathering female, but I can't really remember. But any breed (except maybe silkies, frizzles, and frazzles) can be feather sexed as long as they have the appropriate genes.

I think the only way to figure out what genes your chicks have is to know their parents, but don't ask me anything beyond that! I'm not at all good with genetics. All I can tell you is that if they are from store or hatchery then as far as I know there is no way to know their genes.

You might find it interesting to read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/an-experiment-in-chick-sexing-methods.72520/
I'm interested to know what results your test will have! Good luck!

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

Agreeing with Mary (@Folly's place), from what I've heard the chicks need to have certain genetics to be accurately feather sexed. I think the genes were that of a slow feathering male and fast feathering female, but I can't really remember. But any breed (except maybe silkies, frizzles, and frazzles) can be feather sexed as long as they have the appropriate genes.

I think the only way to figure out what genes your chicks have is to know their parents, but don't ask me anything beyond that! I'm not at all good with genetics. All I can tell you is that if they are from store or hatchery then as far as I know there is no way to know their genes.

You might find it interesting to read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/an-experiment-in-chick-sexing-methods.72520/
Good luck!

Yeah, it’s looking like these don’t have the genetics to feather sex them. They all have the 2 sets is flight feathers...or they aren’t all the same length. Not sure how you’d phrase that. So according to feather sexing, they’d all be pullets and I definitely don’t have that kind of luck. There’s one that is very very outgoing and confident so I’m thinking I have one roo atleast.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Yeah, it’s looking like these don’t have the genetics to feather sex them. They all have the 2 sets is flight feathers...or they aren’t all the same length. Not sure how you’d phrase that. So according to feather sexing, they’d all be pullets and I definitely don’t have that kind of luck. There’s one that is very very outgoing and confident so I’m thinking I have one roo atleast.

But maybe it will work anyway! After all, it has to work at least 50 percent of the time, right?