Sexing via chick tail feathers? Is that a thing?

[shawnanjohn]

My 3 week old polish babies are out enjoying playtime and I noticed obvious differences in their tail feathers. They aren't old enough for sickle feathers but the shapes are quite obvious even with the 2 frizzle babies in pics 4 and 5. Is this a thing? I keep posting these guys as they grow as this is my first time in over 20 years with bantams and they are strange. I mean one of my 4 month old silkie looks like a he but is dressed as a she another is a he but fights with my duccle who also looks like a she so hoping to learn and hope it helps other during the struggle. Going by the shapes 1)pullet 2)cockerel 3&4)pullet 5) cockerel 6)pullet
I'll keep this updated as time goes to see if this turns out

 

[-Chanticleer-]

They’ll feather out those when they get their adult feathers. Using comb wattle and gender specific coloring is more accurate.

 

[Sussex19]

Short answer, no, long answer maybe, if you know your strain very well, sometimes there are things like that which are quite reliable.
I have never had much luck though.

 

[shawnanjohn]

Eh I’ll keep watching as they develop. I crest sexed them following the guides after hatch. I’ll just keep collecting data and eventually be able to do it with confidence. They are about to move outside full time so no more obsessing over my bitties lol