How soon can you tell the sex of an ostrich?

[moonjelly]

I'm noticing distinct behavioral differences in my two ostriches. It's made me wonder if I have a male/female pair. Also, one of them has much nicer plumage and feathering coming in. What's the earliest you're really able to tell?

 

[yinepu]

you could have them DNA sexed
(I'm guessing you didn't try to vent sex them at hatch)?

 

[moonjelly]

No they weren't vent sexed. I'll probably DNA sex them in the future, but I was just wondering if people had any theories about the distinction as far as their behavior or appearance of plumage.

 

[yinepu]

Not until they reach adulthood (at least not that I am aware of). How old are they now?.. if they are just a few months old and can be easily handled you can still vent sex them.

 

[moonjelly]

They're about 3 months, but they're not easily handled at this age, they're surprisingly strong and I don't think they'd want me checking.

I'll DNA sex them in a month or so and post back about if I was correct in my assumptions or not.

 

[bensteph821]

Yea I agree. No other way to see the difference until they are adults. I wish their was!