Two week old chicks...Can I bank on tail feathers to be hens?

[Royal Red]

Hello Chicken Experts,

I have gone to TSC to pick out more hens. I have two sex-linked that have sprouted tail feathers and three others of my eight. Can I bank on the five to be hens and the 3 without tail feathers to be males?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

No, you cannot count on it to be absolutely reliable, it is more of a general clue to be considered as part of the puzzle and while it is often correct it is not infallible.

 

[Royal Red]

Ol Grey Mare,

I was feeling lucky that I had picked out the majority of my chicks to be hens...so sad. So the tail feathers on my sexed link which are females does not apply to all chicks? My breeds are mixed: two Sexed link, two bantams, two buff, and two RIR.

At what month will I have a better Idea?

Also have two white silkies coming my way...and was going to use the tail feathers to be a good indicator. Are there different tricks with different breeds?

We live in the city and I can only have one rooster which we use the no crow collar on and it works wonderfully.