The 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[Happy Chooks]

Is it true that female tail feathers come in quicker than males in many breeds? I am so curious as to how many cockerels I have vs pullets...

In most breeds, females tend to feather in faster.

 

[MavisMama]

I'm looking forward to people's answers on this. If feathers indicate gender, I have all 4 of something !!! Hopefully pullets! I wonder if feather sexing differs by breed - I have Sultans & the chicks have the cutest little fan tail feathers.

 

[Mama Bay]

In most breeds, females tend to feather in faster.

If that holds somewhat true I have 7 males out of 20. I can see some pretty clear differences in the wing/tail feathering of these little buggers.

How long do you think it will take before I know for sure?

 

[chicken pickin]

I believe feather sexing only works for certain breeds or even certain lines within a breed that was purposefully bred for the feather sexing genes. Not all chickens are able to be feather sexed just like not a chicken breeds are sexlinked or auto sexed.

 

[coop410silkies]

In most breeds, females tend to feather in faster.

My Sussex pullet chicks definitely feather faster than the cockerels, and their tails sometime develop very early on. The cockerels also do that male thing of stretching their necks and looking UP when something is happening outside the pen. It IS a lot easier to tell the difference between the two if there are in deed at least one of each. My 3 SS chicks were all girls until their tail feathers turned black with a green sheen. Now they are handsome problems. But yeah, I look hard at the tail, even if some of the pros tell me it ain't so.

 

[ronott1]

I'm looking forward to people's answers on this. If feathers indicate gender, I have all 4 of something !!! Hopefully pullets! I wonder if feather sexing differs by breed - I have Sultans & the chicks have the cutest little fan tail feathers.

It can happen! I did not see Sultans on the list of feather sexing breeds. Some breeds have faster feathering males.

If that holds somewhat true I have 7 males out of 20. I can see some pretty clear differences in the wing/tail feathering of these little buggers.

How long do you think it will take before I know for sure?

That would be wonderful! but not likely.....out of 20, it is much more likely that you have 12 cockerels...

I believe feather sexing only works for certain breeds or even certain lines within a breed that was purposefully bred for the feather sexing genes. Not all chickens are able to be feather sexed just like not a chicken breeds are sexlinked or auto sexed.

Yep!

Time will let you know what you have--either by comb and wattles or by the crow or the egg.

 

[Happy Chooks]

If that holds somewhat true I have 7 males out of 20. I can see some pretty clear differences in the wing/tail feathering of these little buggers.

How long do you think it will take before I know for sure?

By about 6 weeks you should know for sure.

 

[prizepete]

My total number of chicks is 17 out of 24

 

[ronott1]

My total number of chicks is 17 out of 24

Congratulations!

Pictures?

 

[chattery41]

Where is everyone now ? I miss having to spend hours trying to catch up. Great thread and sharing info. Now i feel lost and alone.