Sexing Marans crosses (olive eggers)

[morbius18]

Out of my last hatch of golden cuckoo marans, I noticed the my pullets were waaay slower feathering in than the cockerals. I did a cross with some easter eggers I noticed the 2 week old chicks are showing 2 distinct tail lengths. Is this an accurate way to sex chicks or is it just the Marans breed specific?

 

[junebuggena]

Was the Marans the father or mother?

 

[morbius18]

Was the Marans the father or mother?

Rooster was the marans, so no sex links here. I did end up with a mystery white one though.

 

[morbius18]

For reference, here are the golden cuckoos from a previous hatch. There are two pullets on the left with considerably less feathering and no tail feathers than the 2 cockerals. This was taken at 1 month of age.

 

[junebuggena]

Of my Easter Eggers, I had a cockerel and one pullet that feathered in quickly, and one that was a bit slower to feather in. My Easter Egger mixes, black sexlinked, all feathered in at about the same rate.

 

[morbius18]

I'm wondering if it is a marans thing. The marans cockerals started getting red combs at 2-3 weeks too.

 

[junebuggena]

I'm wondering if it is a marans thing. The marans cockerals started getting red combs at 2-3 weeks too.

Now that's something that might carry with these mixes. If the father is fast maturing, it's likely his chicks will also be quick to mature.

 

[drumstick diva]

very interesting