Rooster vs Pullet Question!

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. Pullets usually grow in tailfeathers faster than cockerels. If you are going to see a difference in feathering it will be across the back and wing bows (shoulders), but not until about four to six weeks. Way too early to tell on those chicks.

 

[Tala]

In my experience many breeds the pullets tails come in much faster.

In my RIR chicks, the pullets had tails from about 10 days old, and at 3 weeks of age the roos STILL did not have tails!
What I do is pick out the ones with tails for keeping, and then of course re-evaluate them as they get older. There might be a few surprises, but it's good starting point. By the time they are 4-6 weeks old, on most breeds you will know for sure.

I also have some BCM (that's Black Copper Marans) chicks and they seem to all get their tails at the same time, no significant differences. I really don't know which ones are boys or girls!!!!

The tail feather trick isn't failproof

 

[Lobzi]

Look for comb development. That is the best way that I have found to know for sure. I even tried the even vs uneven wing feathering and that failed me, but comb development only fooled me when I denied what I was seeing.

 

[Jen71]

Quote:
When you say to look for comb development - what exactly am I looking for?
I read that roos will show pink in their comb, but anything else?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lobzi]

The comb development is much more pronounced on the males. My chicks who showed to be females had hardly anything and no sign of wattles. Those who showed themselves to be roos were obvious as I look back through my different hatches.

Can you see here what Im talking about? The white one and the dark on on the left are males.

 

[Jen71]

OK! Thanks. That is clear.

I have four chicks - 4 weeks old - and they all show the same amount of development.
I will keep waiting and see if any pink starts to show. I really hope not.

Appreciate your help!

 

[HathawayHens]

So now I am worried... I have 6 chicks that are 8 days old, all sexed female per the feed store (purchased sexed from hatchery). 4 EE's, two have tail feathers, two don't... the two that don't have less developed wings as well. One RIR that has tail feathers, and 1 buff orp that has no tail feathers and hardly any wing feathers. Of COURSE, my boys are in love with the Orp... do the tail feather guesses hold true at this young of an age in different breeds? I will of course post pics next month if there is any question.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
It'll be best if you post pics when they are between four and six weeks old. You can't really get anywhere comparing one breed's development to another breed. Each breed and each individual develop different.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
EEs are mutts. They are tricky. Anything can happen. I had one I was SURE was a boy, no tailfeathers, slow to feather at all . . . . he seems to be a SHE now that they are older!! Don't worry about the EE's yet.

I have raised RIR cockerels, and they didn't have tailfeathers by 2-3 weeks of age, so if your has a tail it's probably a girl.

I don't know what to say about the Buff Orpington though. Right now I'm raising half BO half EE's, and yes the males are slower-feathering, but it's a MUTT so I can't say how yours will feather out.

At 8 days we are just guessing. It's a fun game!!!
By 4-5 weeks of age you should be able to tell for sure. Post pictures next month after they are 4+ weeks old.