I have 3 Lav Orps that I believe all to be cockerels but I just want a second opinion. They're all close to 4 months old. #1#2
#3
All girls... though I agree, all the Lavenders color is way off. I'm inclined to think they're the product of pretty poor breeding, potentially mixing a few generations back.Sorry, I forgot to also post my Ameracaunas. I have a blue and a black. I'm positive the black is a cockerel but not sure on the blue. Both are close to 3-4 months just like the Lavs.
Dark Brahmas can't be sexed by the 'eyeliner'. What is a reliable way of sexing them are the chest feathers. Males feather in with solid black feathers on the chest. Females have patterned chest feathers.Hello!
I became convinced that I could tell the sex of my Dark Brahma chicks at 1 week old, based on interesting tips from a British breeder. She said that the girls have eyeliner, and that they have more elongated wing feathers at that age. Two of my chicks (Shimmer and Sabre) looked that way, whereas the other (Spark) had no eyeliner, and very stubby wing feathers.
Now, at two weeks, the differences are even more pronounced!
If you look at the pics of Sabre, you will see that (she?) has:
-distinct eyeliner
-very feathery feet
-long wing feathers that touch in the back
-fast developing shoulder feathers
-a straight, narrow, pronounced tail
If you look at Spark, you will see that (he) shows:
-no eyeliner
-barely any foot feathering
-shorter wings
-scanty shoulder feathers
.-a wide puff tail
Shimmer (not pictured here) has all of Sabre's characteristics, although the eyeliner is more subtle.
Could anyone weigh in on these observations? I know that this is generally to early too determine the sex of chicks, but the side-by-side comparisons are very marked, to my eyes.
Thanks for any input!
Photo 1: Sabre (suspected female), with her pretty eyeliner and poufy feet
Photo 2: Sabre, below and left (wing feathers touching in back, narrow tail) and Spark, above and right (shorter wings, shorter tail, not much shoulder feathering)
Photo 3: Sabre, left, with her jutting tail and feathered feet. Spark, right, with a dark face and naked feet.
Photo 4: Spark, my suspected cockerel.
Hi, and thanks! I have heard about the chest feathers, which come in a bit later. I shall certainly look for that, as they grow.
Probably just normal variation.Hi, and thanks! I have heard about the chest feathers, which come in a bit later. I shall certainly look for that, as they grow.
What do you think about the very strong differences in feather development, in the pics? Do you think that has nothing to do with the sex of the chicks, and is simply a variation between individuals?
what do you guys think?
Am I the only one who looks at the pics of the bird discussed above(2!d phot specifically) and thinks that it looks so much like a velociraptor or some other dinosaur it's scary? Lol I think it's half Dino half chicken lol. Very cool looking bird. Possibly a game bird mix? Also looks a little like a production red. With a crane? Lol she's very tall and elegant. For Halloween this year you need to make her a velociraptor costume lol
Thank you for mentioning that as I couldn't decide if they were in the setting or rising sun or not. They are very beautiful and true Isabel birds are stunning in my opinion. If they're just for pets and you don't plan to sell their chicks then go for it breed them and post what you get. I'd be interested to see it myself.
Think that's a pullet... no obvious streamers coming off the crest that I can tell, at least...More pics
