Feather sexing

[ffachick55]

When feather sexing, if they still have one row of feathers instead of two is that too early or does that mean something?

 

[Makomd]

This can only be effectively used on fast feathering breeds. If not mistaken this must be done very early. 1 row means male.

http://animalsciences.missouri.edu/reprod/ReproTech/Feathersex/sld006.htm

 

[KieksterChicken]

In order to sex a bird by wing feathers the trait for slower vs faster flight/covert feather growth is something genetically bred for and can't be used on birds lacking those traits.
If you do want to ever try it though, it has to be done within the first 48 hours of hatch. When sexing a bird roo flight and covert feathers should be all the same length.. kind of like this: "IIIIIIIII" when you spread the wing. Pullet should have 2 different lengths of feathers, flights will be longer, coverts shorter when you spread the wings. Kind of like this: "IiIiIiIiI".
If your chicks are older than 48 hours from hatch you can't use this method.