QUESTION! (about feather sexing)

[Fluffy Chick 15]

Ok, So I got my chicks when they were about a day old and I did feather sexing (2 layers of feathers= girl one layer= boy?) And I heard that you couldnt do it after they were 3 days old. I was wondering why that was because I'm supposed to get chicks next week that will be older than 3 days and I was wondering why I couldnt wing-sex them? I was also looking at the chicks I have (which are now about 4 or 5 days old) and I can still tell they have 2 layers of feathers. So if someone would be so kind as to tell me why you cant wing-sex then after 3 days, that would be great! Thanks!

 

[briteday]

Only certain breeds can be feather sexed.

"Feather sexing became possible in 1969 after several years of genetic research by the Tegels Poultry Breeding Company. This method used to determine the sex of newly hatched chicks is only possible if a female from a slow-feathering breed is crossed with a male from a fast-feathering breed. The sex of the chicks produced from this cross can be determined during the first 48 hours after hatching by looking at the primary and secondary feathers located on the chick's wings. The primary feathers will be noticeably longer than the secondary feathers on a female chick. On a male, the primary and secondary feathers are the same length. "

 

[Fluffy Chick 15]

Soooo.... does it work on Silkies?

 

[pdsavage]

Quote:
No....

 

[Fluffy Chick 15]

Oh crap!.........

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Ive heard that the reason it wont be accurate past a few days is because the shorter feathers have had time to grow in and catch up to the longer ones.
It also relies heavily on what type of chicken, as was mentioned.

You can try it, use leg bands and let us know the results in a few months!

 

[Fluffy Chick 15]

OK!

(what are leg bands?) AND I also heard that if they have more of a little puff on their head, they are a girl... is that true too?

 

[pdsavage]

Quote:
Back in the day it usually meant the chick was a pullet.Check out the link to a breeder who talks about that,link below.....
http://www.hattricksilkies.net/articles_vaulted_skull.html