Sexing Chicks: Technique?

[FarmerChick19]

I have recently found an odd technique of sexing chicks I've never heard of before. Supposedly, if you hold a chick by its head/upper body, if it draws its legs up to its chest or fights, its a pullet, and if it lets its legs hang, it's a roo. Apparently this technique is elicting a sexual response from the chick, as male and females would react differently. I have tried this on my chicks, and the ones I think are roos let their legs hang, and the ones I think are pullets drew their legs up to their chest. I am still unclear if this is accurate, and they are still young, but it seems legit. I am curious as to if anyone else has had sucess with this technique? Or perhaps I am wrong and just have clear dumb luck?

Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[sourland]

It's guaranteed to be at least 50% correct. Auto sexing, vent sexing, and sex link are the only accurate (semi accurate in vent sexing) techniques.

 

[aoxa]

I've tried this just for the heck of it, and most just hung there. I never thought it would work, but figured I'd give it a shot. It would not be safe to do with older chicks for sure. As soon as they get any weight on them I would not try this.

 

[FarmerChick19]

Thank you Sourland! And yes, Axoxa, my chicks are only a few days old, so they're fairly light. I'll be sure to avoid picking them up like that in the future, but I wanted to try it. Curious, when you used this was of sexing, was it any accurate? Like, did all the ones that hung there become roos, or was it mixed?

 

[aoxa]

Thank you Sourland! And yes, Axoxa, my chicks are only a few days old, so they're fairly light. I'll be sure to avoid picking them up like that in the future, but I wanted to try it. Curious, when you used this was of sexing, was it any accurate? Like, did all the ones that hung there become roos, or was it mixed?

I had hatched 75% roos. I didn't see any kick their legs. They just hung there. I had 8 chicks. 6 males 2 females.

 

[FarmerChick19]

Hmmm. I think I'll just have to wait and see what comes out! I only have 4 chicks, two silkies, two Australorps. 1 of each draws up their legs, and 1 of each just hangs.

 

[aoxa]

Hmmm. I think I'll just have to wait and see what comes out! I only have 4 chicks, two silkies, two Australorps. 1 of each draws up their legs, and 1 of each just hangs.

Mark the ones that drew their legs up. Let us know your results.

 

[FarmerChick19]

I certainly will! Thank you! I'll get back to this post when I am sure of their genders haha

 

[Mister B]

What about their wings? I read that pullets will grow the last two feathers longer to begin with and the roosters will grow them evenly. Any truth to that?

 

[aoxa]

What about their wings? I read that pullets will grow the last two feathers longer to begin with and the roosters will grow them evenly. Any truth to that?

Yes it works if you are sure you have a fast feathering male and a slow feather female as your breeding parents. However, in most cases backyard breeders do not. These chicks are sold at the hatchery almost exclusively. Silkies can't be feather sexed as day olds.