Pelvic bone sexing

[Seaecho]

Wasn't sure what forum to put this under. Anyway, I read that the pelvic bone will be in more or less a V shape if you have a pullet, and more tightly together (a small V or no V) if you have a rooster. I just proved that theory wrong. I have one that is definitely a roo, and his pelvic bones form a V. When I compared to a pullet, they felt basically the same! Another, 2 yr. old hen of mine has a wider V, and a Silkie pullet about the same age as the first two has a V that is not quite as wide as the roo! What are other people's experiences on this?

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

i just got my first chicks! here is my silkie!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Wasn't sure what forum to put this under. Anyway, I read that the pelvic bone will be in more or less a V shape if you have a pullet, and more tightly together (a small V or no V) if you have a rooster. I just proved that theory wrong. I have one that is definitely a roo, and his pelvic bones form a V. When I compared to a pullet, they felt basically the same! Another, 2 yr. old hen of mine has a wider V, and a Silkie pullet about the same age as the first two has a V that is not quite as wide as the roo! What are other people's experiences on this?

I had never heard of that theory before... many of them aren’t really true, and proven wrong by BYCers like you!

 

[aart]

Never heard that one either.
Do yo have an illustration as to where to 'feel' for this shape?
And what age is this apparent?
Might it be the bones between 'F' and the spine?

You can tell if a pullet/hen is laying by the spacing of pelvic points(F-F).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Seaecho]

Thank you. Yes, it's the pelvic bones shown in the link. Okay, now I understand. It's not really to tell male from female, but what females are laying and which are not. I read somewhere that you can sex them this way. Obviously not!

 

[aart]

Thank you. Yes, it's the pelvic bones shown in the link. Okay, now I understand. It's not really to tell male from female, but what females are laying and which are not. I read somewhere that you can sex them this way. Obviously not!

Can kinda see where the misinterpretation could happen, as I imagine that a laying bird(thus female) would have a wider 'V'.
But not sure you can feel that deep to tell the shape and as it would only work on 'mature' birds(old enough to lay) the males and females would be obviously different anyway.

 

[Seaecho]

You make good points, aart. In any case, I can't use this method to be sure I'm getting a pullet, which I was hoping for! I've gotten two roosters already by mistake and am not eager to repeat that experience!

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Wasn't sure what forum to put this under. Anyway, I read that the pelvic bone will be in more or less a V shape if you have a pullet, and more tightly together (a small V or no V) if you have a rooster. I just proved that theory wrong. I have one that is definitely a roo, and his pelvic bones form a V. When I compared to a pullet, they felt basically the same! Another, 2 yr. old hen of mine has a wider V, and a Silkie pullet about the same age as the first two has a V that is not quite as wide as the roo! What are other people's experiences on this?

It’s really hard to sex chicks and even then there’s a possibility of error. I’ve only ever bought sexed birds because I wouldn’t trust myself to sex them instead of a professional.

 

[aart]

In any case, I can't use this method to be sure I'm getting a pullet, which I was hoping for!

Nope, it's crap shoot!

 

[Seaecho]

Well, I'm getting a three or four month old pullet next week. Since it'll be older, hopefully, I'll be able to tell from a group of them. With the comb, wattle and feathers, I'm hoping it'll stand out a little more as to the gender.