I know it's early, but indulge me. (sexing Black Australorps)

[HeatherT]

I'm brand new to BYC and spankin new to chickens. Or any animals really. (sad childhood, huh?)

I have 2 sexed Black Australorp chicks that we got at a farm store a week ago. The kids wanted to name them of course, and I was worried about being able to tell them apart, however from day one they have been totally different. Who knew chickens could have so much personality? Isabelle is quiet, shy, and small, while Lindy (maybe Lenny) is significantly bigger, braver, louder, and has almost successfully jumped out of their deep plastic box. Isabelle will run and literally hide under Lindy. And now at 1 week Lindy has a bunch of tail feathers already sticking out, while Isabelle has nothing.

So is that much difference in hens normal? Are the things I mentioned indicative of roosters?

I can try to get a pic of the tail feathers if any can give me iPad help. I'm new to Macs too. So much newness.

 

[KBlue]

Some pictures would help!

I know nothing about ipads, though, sorry can't help you there.

 

[HeatherT]

Some pictures would help!

I know nothing about ipads, though, sorry can't help you there.

Figured it out!! It required an app. Obvs. Pics of Lindy/Lenny coming shortly!

 

[CarolJ]

Actually - from all I've read - it seems that females feather out more quickly than males. So maybe Isabelle is the roo!

 

[BantamoftheOpera]

Actually - from all I've read - it seems that females feather out more quickly than males. So maybe Isabelle is the roo!

x2. That was the case with my Brahma boy.

 

[HeatherT]

Well, that's good to know about the feather! Hopefully NO roosters. Here's a pic showing the size and tail feather difference. (hopefully)

 

[HeatherT]

And now that I know how to do it, a few more pics.

Isabelle: (note she is quietly sitting in fear)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75695612@N07/6947207951/" title="Photo 4 - 2012-03-02 by HeatherStull, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6947207951_6b7740850f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Photo 4 - 2012-03-02"></a>

Lindy: (note feathers and drastic escape attempt)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75695612@N07/6801101312/" title="Photo 2 - 2012-03-02 by HeatherStull, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6801101312_9e8ef257bb_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Photo 2 - 2012-03-02"></a>


For fun, here's Isabelle and her stealthy hiding spot:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75695612@N07/6801101150/" title="Photo 1 - 2012-03-02 by HeatherStull, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6801101150_8485621cf8_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Photo 1 - 2012-03-02"></a>

 

[Pele]

It is too early to tell, but the others are spot on in their advice. I've raised numerous breeds of chickens, and while they do have variations between breeds, I've only had one roo that feathered as fast as the hens. 90% of the time, the little dude with a bare butt while all the others are parading around with tail feathers is a roo.

 

[HeatherT]

I posted the three pics above the same as the one that worked, and yet...fail. I am my mother. How depressing.

 

[KBlue]

I posted the three pics above the same as the one that worked, and yet...fail. I am my mother. How depressing.

No matter how hard we try not to turn into our parents....we inevitably do.