Sexing the Australorp. Mystery or Myth?

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BubbaLikesIt said:
I have wanted to add some Australorp to the coop for a while now. I've decided to run up to the hatchery and pick up a dozen pullets. While doing a little research I've read these horror stories of people receiving 10 cockerels and 2 pullets in an all pullet order. Is the Australorp that hard to sex? I did some more research on sexing these birds and have come to the conclusion it's impossible. Many talk about it but none make any real claim of success. Any Australorp experts out there?
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No they are actually very easy to sex. I got mine from TSC. I got exactly what I wanted. Hold out the wing of the chick then let it go back in about an inch. Your looking at the feather tips shape. Pullets feather lenths make a half rounded circle when pulled out. Cockerels will have a clear L shape to the wing. The bottom part of the L will appear in the front feathers of the wing. Also you can look at the feathers for double layers. Those are pulkets. Cockerels will not have a double layer. You pull the wing out again all the way this time and look at the feathers on the middle of the wing for double feathers. By 2 weeks I knew I had 3 girls and a boy (just what I wanted) because pullets tail feathers grow in first, while cockerel tail feathers come later.. my girls tails were an inch or so when my boy finally started to grow rail feathers.

At 4 weeks my cockerel had pink/red starting already under his beak and on his comb. His comb was significantly larger as they have a single comb.. and the girls combs stayed pale or yellow and small. Which only confirmed the sexes. They are now 7 months old ..no surprises on sexes!

Also look at behavior. Girls will be shy and low to the ground, boys will stand tall and act brave and are more friendly.. even as little chicks. Ps I did get my chicks straight run :)I also hand picked my chicks myself.. I like to see myself what I'm buying.

Edited to tell you also my cockerel had man feet as a chick and his legs were thicker with bigger feet/longer toes then my girls.. like when you buy a large breed puppy and they need to grow into those feet...

I have 8 Australorps total.. I love them. They are a beautiful and intelligent addition.
 
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Chelsa'sChicks said:
No they are actually very easy to sex. I got mine from TSC. I got exactly what I asked for. Hold out the wing of the chick then let it go back in about an inch. Your looking at feathers. First look at length. Pullets feather lenths make a half rounded circle when pulled out. Cockerels will have a clear L shape to the wing. The bottom part of the L will appear in the front feathers of the wing. Also you can look at the feathers for double layers. Those are pulkets. Cockerels will not have a double layer. You pull the wing out again all the way this time and look at the feathers on the middle of the wing for double feathers. By 2 weeks I knew I had 3 girls and a boy (just what I wanted) because pullets tail feathers grow in first, while cockerel tail feathers come later.. my girls tails were an inch or so when my boy finally started to grow rail feathers.
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Day old chicks are hard to feather sex......for me at least. Vent sexing is fairly accurate but as a child raised on an egg farm, I haven't had the heart to squeeze a baby chick like that. Nope, I'll just buy extras and if I get some roosters, I'll send them to the "farm".
 
BubbaLikesIt said:
Day old chicks are hard to feather sex......for me at least. Vent sexing is fairly accurate but as a child raised on an egg farm, I haven't had the heart to squeeze a baby chick like that. Nope, I'll just buy extras and if I get some roosters, I'll send them to the "farm".
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They were about a week old they had their wing feathers started. So not little fuzzies lol :)
 
BubbaLikesIt said:
I need to have day old chicks for a broody hen. Any older than that and she turns on them like they are mice. I don't mind buying extra, we can use the eggs.
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Oh I only read your first post and I didn't see you were looking for day old for a broody hen :(

Well that technique will work for 1 week old chicks if you ever feel like just adding some hens! :)
 
Chelsa'sChicks said:
Oh I only read your first post and I didn't see you were looking for day old for a broody hen :(

Well that technique will work for 1 week old chicks if you ever feel like just adding some hens! :)
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I don't know. Jemima is super broody and super mean. They had better be fuzzy and peeping loud or they're done for. Last April she attacked a full grown Labrador protecting chicks. She rode that dog for at least a minute. Pulling eggs out from under her is like sticking your hand into a blender. Mean chicken.
 
BubbaLikesIt said:
I don't know. Jemima is super broody and super mean. They had better be fuzzy and peeping loud or they're done for. Last April she attacked a full grown Labrador protecting chicks. She rode that dog for at least a minute. Pulling eggs out from under her is like sticking your hand into a blender. Mean chicken.
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Lol oh my! I don't have much experience with broody hens as all my hens focus on eggs not chicks so I've never experienced a broody hen. Hope all works out for you! :)
 

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