Ok,
My Uncle taught me about Water Witching and it seems to work. He had rods that just looked like metal coat hangers. He told me it worked off the refraction of what was below you. Water, sewer pipes, paper. I tried it in the city when I got home and it would cross every time I passed a yard sprinkler, etc.
As for Chickens, not chicks. I found that the Males hip bones are closer together. If you were examining the vent for illness, etc. if you fell the hip bones you will see what I mean. There is also a way to feather sex, but alais, it was not fool proof. I still end up with an Americana Roo every time.