how to feather sex chicks?

[j.luetkemeyer]

I'm not sure what the specific name is on the feathers but I've seen some sex chicks by the shape of the feathers on the base of their neck betwen the base of the wings. Cockerals feathers have a more arrow shape where pullets have a rounded shape to them. I'll try to find out the name of the feathers for a better description. I have done this on multiple breeds and been accurate. The only downside is you have to wait until their old enough to have those feathers in before sexing.

The names of these feathers are the Hackle and Saddle feathers. There is also a post on this forum that discusses this. Here's the link.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=267048&p=1

 

[GardeNerd]

There is another method of determining gender at hatch other than feather sexing or vent sexing. In addition to the sex-linked hybrids, there are "auto sexing" breeds like the Legbar and Barred Rock that can be compared by color markings. The auto-sexing breeds breed true over generations and are not hybrids like other sex-links.

 

[greathorse]

Is auto sexing always by color or can auto sexing also be fixed in wing feather growth. I know I did not do a good job of asking the question but hope it is understood