Sickle feather definition? Does it help with BO's?

[BeardedLadyFarm]

I am still new to this, and I think I have enough information to be dangerous, but not necessarily accurate yet...

What are the difference between sickle and saddle and hackle feathers, and do they help in sexing? Where are the different feathers found? Also shininess seems to be discussed in sexing quite often. Can someone direct me to a diagram or resource?

I have a 13 week old Buff Orpington. I hadn't really suspected her of being a roo, but her neck and back are so shiny in the sun. Her face started getting pink about 3 weeks ago. At this point, I'll just wait for an egg or a crow, but I'd still like to learn more about feather sexing.

 

[jvls1942]

looks like a girl

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

I do hope so!

I've had too much time on my hands to read about chickens, and now I'm making a case for all of my ladies to be roos!

It's like trying to diagnose an ailment with info from the internet. I'm always certain a headache means I have a brain tumor, or an itch is leprosy!

Not that rooster would be the end of the world, but it would tip off the neighbors to my "illegal" birds.

 

[DTchickens]

Yup, pullet.


Hackle feathers are the feathers on the neck, displayed in the second and third pictures, saddle feathers are the ones right next to the tail that hang down.. That's where a saddle would go. Sickle feathers are the tail feathers, cock/cockerels tail feathers grow long and curl down making it look like sickles.


ETA: In my opinion shininess does not indicate rooster, shininess indicates the health of the feathers and bird..

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

Thanks DT very helpful!

I've been looking for sickle shaped feathers on the neck, which would explain my confusion!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm also having trouble sexing 8 week old buff orps. I have 7 straight run and have trouble believing they are all female. This site has some information on the feathers of chickens.

http://4hembryology.psu.edu/c-biology.html

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I agree with all that DT said