Tips on choosing pullets from a group of straight run cochins

[MadamContrary]

I've noticed the chicks that turn thier head or stretch out thier neck and make direct eye contact tend to be males. I hatched out 90% boys this year, I swear. The friendliest or "bravest" might be more accurate term are almost always males.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

The ones with the longest wing feathers are likely pullets. You can see the difference in these two bantam cochin chicks:
Pullet--long primaries, secondaries, and even coverts

Cockerel--minimal primary growth, almost no secondary and covert growth

Those two are the exact same age, photos taken on the same day. I've used this method on multiple bantams chicks to sex them, with 100% accuracy.

 

[Blessedmamaof3]

Sorry I keep blowing up this thread but I keep thinking of more things. What varieties of Cochins are you getting? If partridge, avoid any chicks with dark breast feathers and only picked chicks with pencilled breasts if they have their feathers. For the Wyandottes look for clear lacing on the wings without patchiness!

I appreciate all the help. I am hoping to get a blue, maybe lavender, porcelain or splash. I have one 6 wk bantam cochin that has turned out to be male. Not sure what color he is but he is gorgeous and I want more cochins now. Lol. Here is pipsqueak after his bath.

 

[Blessedmamaof3]

The ones with the longest wing feathers are likely pullets. You can see the difference in these two bantam cochin chicks:
Pullet--long primaries, secondaries, and even coverts
View attachment 2695071

Cockerel--minimal primary growth, almost no secondary and covert growth
View attachment 2695073
Those two are the exact same age, photos taken on the same day. I've used this method on multiple bantams chicks to sex them, with 100% accuracy.

Wow! I wonder if you could help me sex my 2 black tailed white Japanese. One did have shorter wings when I got them and acts very male to me.

 

[Blessedmamaof3]

I've noticed the chicks that turn thier head or stretch out thier neck and make direct eye contact tend to be males. I hatched out 90% boys this year, I swear. The friendliest or "bravest" might be more accurate term are almost always males.

Thank you

 

[Blessedmamaof3]

How old are they?
If they’re younger than three weeks, there’s basically no way to tell.

Im not sure, I finally found a place near me that has cochins so I sent a message to ask about them.

 

[Blessedmamaof3]

While unproven I did manage 3 female silver laced cochins by choosing the absolute darkest in the straight run bin.

Thanks

 

[CrazyCochin]

Try going for the ones with the longest primary wing feathers, and shorter secondary feathers!

Example, cockerel wing! A single curve. This was my cockerel Bootsie when he was little

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Example, cockerel wing! A single curve. This was my cockerel Bootsie when he was little View attachment 2695271

No no no. You cannot wing sex Cochins. Nuh-uh. Don’t even.