Feather Sexing

[MadisonOde]

Hey all,
I have never tried feather sexing before and I apologize for the bad quality photos but I was thinking it might be worth a try. The chicks are two days old.

 

[wamtazlady]

Feather sexing can only be done on day old chicks that are specially bred for that characteristic by a hatchery. The vast majority of chicks can not be feather sexed as they were not bred for feather sexing.

 

[tizabel_]

What breed/breeds are they? I might be able to help if you still need it.

 

[tizabel_]

feather Sexing works Between 1-3 days but it works best at 1 day.

 

[Gray Farms]

feather Sexing works Between 1-3 days but it works best at 1 day.

True, but only in very specific hybrids.

 

[tizabel_]

True, but only in very specific hybrids.

I’ve asked some people about this but I still don’t understand, which breeds can be feather-sexed and which can’t? Some people said that only mixes can be while others said that only pure breeds can.

 

[Gray Farms]

I’ve asked some people about this but I still don’t understand, which breeds can be feather-sexed and which can’t? Some people said that only mixes can be while others said that only pure breeds can.

Essentially you must cross a fast feathering female bloodline with a slow feathering male bloodline.

 

[tizabel_]

Essentially you must cross a fast feathering female bloodline with a slow feathering male bloodline.

Do you know if Orpington hens are one of the fast feathering breeds? I have some English orps that I feather-sexed but now I’m thinking that it wouldn’t work for them.

 

[Gray Farms]

Do you know if Orpington hens are one of the fast feathering breeds? I have some English orps that I feather-sexed but now I’m thinking that it wouldn’t work for them.

Slow or fast feathering isn't necessarily a "breed" trait. You have to find a slow or fast feathering bloodline within a breed itself.

 

[tizabel_]

Slow or fast feathering isn't necessarily a "breed" trait. You have to find a slow or fast feathering bloodline within a breed itself.

Oh. Well that makes everything more difficult.