*UPDATE* with pics. Does one gender tend to develop faster?

[paintedsavvy]

Just wondering...I have 7 three week old chicks and I'm noticing that some of them are getting their feathers quicker and I have one that is the same breed, but growing like a monster.

When you have the same breed and the same age, have you noticed that one gender tends to develop faster than the other?

Thanks for any experiences.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I've always heard that females will feather up quicker than males, but I don't think it's really a reliable way to sex them.

 

[columbiacritter]

Most of the time hens feather faster.

 

[paintedsavvy]

Thanks.

So how about growing?

My favorite chick is the one growing like a monster. I'm praying that s/he's a pullet. S/he's about one and a half times the size of the other chicks.

 

[onthespot]

Are the feet and ankle bones noticeably thicker, larger and heavier? If they are, it is probably a rooster. It would also bee thicker and sort of hooked bill and a wider skull. Sometimes these traits show up early and sometimes they don't. Often the roo chicks will have a bare patch of feather stubble like a landing strip up their backs. If you post pics of the chick you will probably get several opinions.

 

[gritsar]

This worked for me when I was sexing 5 week old brahmas:

According to UC Davis Veterinary Care Program.
2. Physical Characteristics (4-6 weeks of age)
a. Comb – The cockerels comb is medium size and pinkish, the pullets is small and yellowish.
b. Legs – The cockerel’s legs are sturdy and long, the pullets are finer and shorter.
c. Tail – The cockerel’s tail is stumpy and curved, the pullets is longer and straight.
d. Back – The cockerel has a thin line of stub feathers down the center of his back, the pullet has more advanced feathering along the center of her back.
e. Side of neck, flank and crop – The feathering in the cockerel in these areas is poorly advanced, the pullets feathering in these areas is well advanced.
f. Wing bows – In the cockerel the wing bows are bare, in pullets the wing bows are covered with small fe

 

[paintedsavvy]

Thought I would post an update.

My Ameraucanas: cockerels developed faster.

My Blue Laced Red Wyandottes: pullets developed faster.

Guess it just depends. Here's a pic of my favorite one. This is Punkin. Ended up being a cockerel. Even at 6 weeks, I think he already looks almost like an adult bird.

Here's all of my babies.

From left to right: Pixie (top), Pepper (bottom), Peppermint Patty (BLRW), Pointer, Pawny (cockerel), Pistachio (BLRW cockerel), and Punkin (cockerel).

 

[cmom]

Here are mine at 6 weeks. They are all the same age and some are bigger than others. They are all supposed to be pullets.

 

[2txmedics]

I had posted a you tube video clip...in here....its from Discovery channel....shows how a hatercy process chicks to ship out...in that video...it shows SEXING BY WINGS...FEATHERS....

this is what I saw in the video and when I did it to mine sure enough there is a defin. difference.....

get the chick, and gently spread its wings out...if the feathers are all even and the same size its a roo....

it there un even and yoiu can tell ....its a hen....go to you tube and type in:

Discovery channel or video, hatchery chicks...let me go see if I can find it.....if so I will post it here

OK HERE IT IS.....WHEN THEY ARE ON THE CONVERER BELT WITH THE WORKERS, IT WILL START AT 2:25 ON THE COUNTER...FORWARD IT TO THAT PART IF YOU DONT WANT TO SEE IT ALL....WHAT I DID IS I LET IT PLAY, REWIND BACK, SAW HOW THEY SEXED THE HENS, STOPPED IT, REWIND, AND THEN SAW ROOS...MAKES SENSE

AND THIS ONE IS MIKE ROWE'S DIRTY JOBS VENTING CHECKING....THEY SAY A HEN HAS A "FLAT VENT PINK VENT"...."A ROO A SHINEY TINY AND I MEAN TINY BUMP" THIS ONE HAS TO BE DONE FROM WHAT IVE READ, DAY ONE, NO LATER THAN DAY 2...AND YOU HAVE TO SQUEEZE THE POOP OUT OF IT...WATCH HOW HE DOES IT. YOU NEED GOOD LIGHT AND GOOD EYES

 

[paintedsavvy]

Awesome! Thanks for your posts. I will watch those videos when I get back from work.