shortwing vs long wing

[Mrs. K]

My chicks are all 12 days old, I have 5 black ones, 3 browns ones, 2 yellows/brown, and 1 white one. They were hatched within 24 hours. What I am noticing is that there is a great difference in their wing feather development. Some have wing feathers that nearly reach to their behind, and other's of the same color, the wing feathers are much shorter yet.

Is this a way to tell who is a rooster or a pullet?

mrsK

 

[atimme]

Different breeds and birds mature at different ages and speeds. As far as I can see there is no way to tell hen from roo based on wing length. Best way is waddle and comb development, as well as looking for pointy feathers on the hackle and saddle.