Trying to sex a week old chick.

[DeborahMoyer]

Looking at the vent, I think I've got a lovely little hen. A friend who knows chickens, however, looked at the feather pattern of the wings and says she thinks it's a cockerel.

Do SFH chicks follow the feathering pattern of one layer for males, two layers for females?





Deborah Moyer

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

No, SFH are not wing feather sexable -- despite what many believe and will assert, true wing feather sexing is only achieved by a carefully selected crossing of slow feathering and fast feathering birds/breeds -- however, vent sexing is not straightforward either, which is why even those with years of experience have an "oops" rate of 5-15%.

 

[DeborahMoyer]

Oh thanks! The little one is ten days old now, so I doubt I need to be in a hurry to figure it out. Guess I will just wait until it's bigger!

Deborah

 

[drumstick diva]

You could try posting new photos at 6-8 weeks.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

You could try posting new photos at 6-8 weeks.

I agree.

 

[DeborahMoyer]

23 Days old! Posting just because I am sooooo squeefully delighted with my pretty chick. Three or four more weeks until I think I can really start guessing gender.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I have a feeling that's a boy.

 

[Gardenalex]

Me too.