Is this sexing method true??

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I found this as I was doing a bit of research on how to sex chickens, but it seems like a really weird thing to be true... I get the feeling it is not actually reliable, but it is interesting. What are your thoughts?
Video:

 

[thecatumbrella]

Staged. The chickens are paid actors.

 

[SilverBirds]

Both of those are cockerels. You can tell by their bright red combs and wattles. That other way is not accurate.

 

[saving grace]

Both of those are cockerels. You can tell by their bright red combs and wattles. That other way is not accurate.

Yep, was just about to say this. It's complete nonsense.

 

[FunClucks]

I haven't watched the video, but there are only a few ways of sexing chickens that actually work.

1. Vent sexing. Highly educated folks at a hatchery ID structures they see inside the vent on newborn chicks. There's like 12-17 structures unique to boys and 12-15 more unique to girls, and you have to memorize them all. You have to be very careful with this method or it could damage the chicks. During the learning process, chicks may die. So it's not commonly used except commercially.

2. Feather sexing. This is where a specific group of wing feathers of boy chicks or girl chicks (I forget) are longer than those of the opposite sex. This method is used on chicks less than a week old. This can only be done on populations that have been bred for this trait over several generations, and the breeding population is selected based on displaying this trait - trying to use this technique on random chicks you got from the feed store won't work.

3. Appearance of comb. Male combs at 6-8 weeks old typically are pinker and larger than female combs. This method is highly accurate. It requires you to look at a bunch of chickens and have correct identifications to check your guesses. Once you know what you're looking at/for, you can get very accurate with this after a fair bit of practice. By far the easiest method. Some slow developing cockerels may occasionally be missed. Does not work for Silkies. (eventually after 4+ months, a larger comb on Silkies will make itself known, but the color stays black.)

4. Appearance of male-specific red coloring on wing bows. This can show up at any time once chicks have actual wing feathers instead of down, and is a sure predictor of a male chicken. However, it can be hard to identify correctly, as it sometimes blends in with the color of the chicken. It can also show up later, after a number of juvenile molts have been undertaken. Many male chickens do not have this red coloration. But if they do have it, they are male. Lots of observations of chickens along with correct IDs to check your guesses are needed to be able to correctly identify male-specific red on the wing bows.

5. Appearance of male hackle and saddle feathers. Male hackle feathers can be difficult to distinguish, but show up in conjunction with male saddle feathers. They are pointier than female hackle feathers. Male saddle feathers curve down the sides of the chicken just in front of the tail, are long and narrow and pointy, and unmistakable once you know what you're looking for. These always indicate a male chicken. However, they don't show up until 12-15 weeks old, by which time many male chickens are already crowing.

6. Crowing. Often a very good but not 100% indicator of a male chicken - can occur anytime at 3 weeks old or older. Most start crowing around 8-12 weeks or so. However, some female chickens crow also, especially if males are not present. Some hens will take on male duties to the flock, and will crow.

7. Egg laying. Females can lay anytime from ~17 weeks onwards, depending on the breed. A 100% sure sign of a female chicken.

 

[The Moonshiner]

What are your thoughts?

Don't believe anything you don't find on BYC.

 

[redinator]

I haven't watched the video, but there are only a few ways of sexing chickens that actually work.

1. Vent sexing. Highly educated folks at a hatchery ID structures they see inside the vent on newborn chicks. There's like 12-17 structures unique to boys and 12-15 more unique to girls, and you have to memorize them all. You have to be very careful with this method or it could damage the chicks. During the learning process, chicks may die. So it's not commonly used except commercially.

2. Feather sexing. This is where a specific group of wing feathers of boy chicks or girl chicks (I forget) are longer than those of the opposite sex. This method is used on chicks less than a week old. This can only be done on populations that have been bred for this trait over several generations, and the breeding population is selected based on displaying this trait - trying to use this technique on random chicks you got from the feed store won't work.

3. Appearance of comb. Male combs at 6-8 weeks old typically are pinker and larger than female combs. This method is highly accurate. It requires you to look at a bunch of chickens and have correct identifications to check your guesses. Once you know what you're looking at/for, you can get very accurate with this after a fair bit of practice. By far the easiest method. Some slow developing cockerels may occasionally be missed. Does not work for Silkies. (eventually after 4+ months, a larger comb on Silkies will make itself known, but the color stays black.)

4. Appearance of male-specific red coloring on wing bows. This can show up at any time once chicks have actual wing feathers instead of down, and is a sure predictor of a male chicken. However, it can be hard to identify correctly, as it sometimes blends in with the color of the chicken. It can also show up later, after a number of juvenile molts have been undertaken. Many male chickens do not have this red coloration. But if they do have it, they are male. Lots of observations of chickens along with correct IDs to check your guesses are needed to be able to correctly identify male-specific red on the wing bows.

5. Appearance of male hackle and saddle feathers. Male hackle feathers can be difficult to distinguish, but show up in conjunction with male saddle feathers. They are pointier than female hackle feathers. Male saddle feathers curve down the sides of the chicken just in front of the tail, are long and narrow and pointy, and unmistakable once you know what you're looking for. These always indicate a male chicken. However, they don't show up until 12-15 weeks old, by which time many male chickens are already crowing.

6. Crowing. Often a very good but not 100% indicator of a male chicken - can occur anytime at 3 weeks old or older. Most start crowing around 8-12 weeks or so. However, some female chickens crow also, especially if males are not present. Some hens will take on male duties to the flock, and will crow.

7. Egg laying. Females can lay anytime from ~17 weeks onwards, depending on the breed. A 100% sure sign of a female chicken.

This needs to be pinned.