Tail Feathers

[Santa Walt]

I am new at this chicken business, but already am having lots of fun, mostly. They are a lot of work.

I just got 25 mixed-run Delaware chicks a week ago to day. I have noticed that some of the chicks are already showing tail feathers, while most are not. I have one other Delaware that is 4-5 weeks old and doesn't have the tail feathers some of these chicks have. Does this mean anything? Would the ones already showing tail feathers be males?

 

[gritsar]

Not necessarily. In alot of breeds, pullets tend to feather in faster than cockerels and that includes the tail feathers. Best bet is to wait until they are closer to 6 weeks old. Then with more than one of a breed to compare the differences really start to stand out.