Need help with 4-H poster.

CaramelKittey · Jun 7, 2019

Hi!

Recently, I volunteered at my local 4-H poultry club to make an informational poster about chickens. More specifically about how to determine their gender. I have many questions about when spurs come in, when saddle feathers and streamers begin to grow and much more! I am also looking for any pictures of saddle feathers in male or female chicks and chickens as well as pictures of chicks growing their waddles or any picture you have of your chicks. Please post the age, gender (if you know) and breed of the chick/chicken. Thank you so much! All help is EXTREMELY appreciated!

Here are a few of my questions.

When do waddles start to grow in males and females?

Is it true that bantams normally mature faster than standard breeds?

When do saddle and hackle feathers grow?

Do meat breeds grow faster than egg-laying breeds?

When do spurs on roosters appear?

When do sickle feathers come in?

Thank you all so much! Sorry for the long post and annoying questions! Lol

The Phantom · Jun 7, 2019

All my bantams matured last

CaramelKittey · Jun 7, 2019

The Phantom said:
All my bantams matured last

Thank you! I’ve heard some say that bantams mature fast but mine matured at a normal rate as well. Thank you!

Acre4Me · Jun 7, 2019

CaramelKittey said:
Hi!

Recently, I volunteered at my local 4-H poultry club to make an informational poster about chickens. More specifically about how to determine their gender. I have many questions about when spurs come in, when saddle feathers and streamers begin to grow and much more! I am also looking for any pictures of saddle feathers in male or female chicks and chickens as well as pictures of chicks growing their waddles or any picture you have of your chicks. Please post the age, gender (if you know) and breed of the chick/chicken. Thank you so much! All help is EXTREMELY appreciated!

Here are a few of my questions.

When do waddles start to grow in males and females?

Is it true that bantams normally mature faster than standard breeds?

When do saddle and hackle feathers grow?

Do meat breeds grow faster than egg-laying breeds?

When do spurs on roosters appear?

When do sickle feathers come in?

Thank you all so much! Sorry for the long post and annoying questions! Lol

Wattles growth in chicks. I think will be a bit individual and also will vary by breed. Some breeds develop fast and owners are fearful that the sexed female they purchased is a male bc it has more wattle development than a sister (same age and breed) or another same age chick of a different breed in the brooder. Overall, in the variety of breeds we’ve raised, it seems that by 3 weeks we’ve noticed wattle growth, particularly if male.

Meat breeds: often from a Cornish strain, and Cornish are double breasted, I think I’ve read. Yes, a meat breed will grow faster than a layer or a dual purpose.

Good luck with your poster.

CaramelKittey · Jun 7, 2019

Acre4Me said:
Wattles growth in chicks. I think will be a bit individual and also will vary by breed. Some breeds develop fast and owners are fearful that the sexed female they purchased is a male bc it has more wattle development than a sister (same age and breed) or another same age chick of a different breed in the brooder. Overall, in the variety of breeds we’ve raised, it seems that by 3 weeks we’ve noticed wattle growth, particularly if male.

Meat breeds: often from a Cornish strain, and Cornish are double breasted, I think I’ve read. Yes, a meat breed will grow faster than a layer or a dual purpose.

Good luck with your poster.

Thank you! This helps a bunch! Do you have any pictures of your chicks? Thank you!

CaramelKittey · Jun 7, 2019

Hi!
I have started working on my poster however, I realized that I only have a couple of good pictures that I can use! If anybody has pictures of sickle feathers, hackle/neck feathers, saddle feathers, waddles and combs on young chicks, or spurs please post them! :ya