Is there such a thing as a fast feathering cockerel?

[thecatumbrella]

So I know from firsthand experience that a slow feathering chick DOES NOT mean it's a cockerel. But what about a fast feathering chick? Does that make it likely to be a pullet (like I've read over and over and over), or is that just another old wives tale and the odds are still 50/50?

Has anyone had a fast feathering cockerel chick?

 

[MysteryChicken]

So I know from firsthand experience that a slow feathering chick DOES NOT mean it's a cockerel. But what about a fast feathering chick? Does that make it likely to be a pullet (like I've read over and over and over), or is that just another old wives tale and the odds are still 50/50?

Has anyone had a fast feathering cockerel chick?

Yes, I've had many fast feathering cockerel chicks.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So I know from firsthand experience that a slow feathering chick DOES NOT mean it's a cockerel. But what about a fast feathering chick? Does that make it likely to be a pullet (like I've read over and over and over), or is that just another old wives tale and the odds are still 50/50?

Has anyone had a fast feathering cockerel chick?

I have a specific sexing method just because of the fast feathering chicks can have in both sexes, I call it the Butterfly method, & it's fairly accurate. Some margin of error does happen of course.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I have a specific sexing method just because of the fast feathering chicks can have in both sexes, I call it the Butterfly method, & it's fairly accurate. Some margin of error does happen of course.

I'm ready to learn... assuming mine aren't too old. They're 5 weeks tomorrow.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'm ready to learn... assuming mine aren't too old. They're 5 weeks tomorrow.

Oldest I go for the method is 1 week.

 

[The Moonshiner]

So I know from firsthand experience that a slow feathering chick DOES NOT mean it's a cockerel. But what about a fast feathering chick? Does that make it likely to be a pullet (like I've read over and over and over), or is that just another old wives tale and the odds are still 50/50?

Has anyone had a fast feathering cockerel chick?

I have Leghorns and they have the fast feathering gene so yes my cockerels feather in fast.
Feather sexing works like a sex link using specific parents. Fast feathering breed male over slow feathering breed female produces fast feathering female chicks and slow feathering male chicks.
The idea that it works with all chicks is just more misinformation that is passed around the internet.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Oldest I go for the method is 1 week.

Awww, bummer.

Feather sexing works like a sex link using specific parents. Fast feathering breed male over slow feathering breed female produces fast feathering female chicks and slow feathering male chicks.

I had no idea! That's actually pretty cool.

Mine are just a bunch of hatchery grunts that probably have mixed parentage. Of the 3 mottled pekins, one feathered super fast while the others can barely put two tail feathers together. All supposedly female. We shall see.