How do I sex dark coturnix varieties?

[johnnalei]

I'm not sure what breeds I have, but I have some dark varieties that I just can't sex. I'm watching to see who crows and mates, but no luck yet. Any tips??

 

[zaylinda]

The sticky at the top has a pretty good explanation.
-Zay

 

[JJMR794]

Start Peeking Up Skirts---- Vent Sex Them.

 

[canter6]

Coturnix don't like you peeking up their skirts. If you don't believe me, then go shine a flashlight under the pen and watch them pop-up.

Vent sexing is hands down the best way to know for sure, but I don't do it, because It's not only icky to me, but also because, I just can't do it.
It's interesting to see that the dark breasted folks have the same problems the light breasted folks have.
I raised the normal little browns for years with no problem sexing them. Now all these colors, or lack of colors.

 

[DLS]

I agree the sticky will help.

 

[JJMR794]

Canter Your The Last Person On Here I Ever Would Have Thought Of As Being Scared Of Quail Porn!

 

[canter6]

Well, I have been some very strange places, and done some very icky things in my life. I've even fallen from over 2000 feet, but bird vents are my kyrptonite.
I prefer to put them in roo pens and wait for a crow,hen call, or egg.
It's a "ME" thing. Everyone else should do the "sticky" thing if you can.

 

[SamG347]

I always just sat and watched to see if the birds crowd or layed. It is very easy to tell if they are female if you isolate say 3-4 birds...and have 3-4 eggs in the cage....you gotta make sure you collect eggs frequently...or just put 1 bird in the cage at a time. Though time consuming I find this easier then vent sexing 50-60 birds.

 

[canter6]

Quote:
The groups of birds thing doesn't work for me because there is at least one smart vent hen that will crank out an extra egg just to mess with my mind.

I agree with the "easier" part. With me vent sexing is 50% icky, 50% I'm not sure what I'm looking for. White breasted birds are new to me. I'll eventually get the hang of it, or switch to jumbo browns.

Back on topic: Vent sexing is best, if you can do it.

 

[JJMR794]

Wow Sam, Whats It Like To Have Leisure Time?