gender identification

[Sonoran Silkies]

Spurs are usually one of the last things to develop, so are not a reliable indicator of gender of an immature bird. Spacing between the pubic bones is one thing to be checked--if narrow & tight almost certainly male; if loose & wide almost certainly female. If narrow & loose or wide & tight, could be either.

As has been mentioned, look at hackle and saddle feathers. Colour patterns can differ between genders (males get different colours on the shoulders and saddle, females on the breast) for some varieties. Next time find a breeder who will guarantee the gender (by exchanging any males you may accidentally get).

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
I have boys in with my hens and I rarely have any difficulty telling who is who (once the youngsters reach an age to tell).

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I agree, spurs are not a good way to tell sex. I have a hen that has spurs. (my sicilian buttercup)

 

[eac04]

Well, there goes my way of telling the sex. LOL.

When I bought my chicks I waited until they had their little comb/wattles to distinguish which ones were male/female and I noticed the MALES had little buds for spurs. Like I said, I'm PRETTY NEW to all of this, so I have much to learn.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Also if you were wondering #1 is a New Hampshire Red and #2 is a Buff Orpington.

 

[ChurpyChicken]

Number 3 definitely a hen !