Using back feathers to sex chicks?

[15gardenchooks]

I have a dozen chicks ranging from a day to 7 days old and was wondering if its possible to tell the sex by the feathers coming in on their backs. Some are looking really long and pointy like a roo and others are round and short. Is this just a coincidence?

Not sure about breed have a mixed flock or aracaunas cochin and brahma bantams.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Yes, you can tell by their feathers just below the tail fathers. Cockerels will develop sickle/saddle feathers, which are long, pointy, and colorful feathers. Whereas hens will develop a cushion-- shorter, rounder and fluffier feathers.

 

[15gardenchooks]

Yes, you can tell by their feathers just below the tail fathers. Cockerels will develop sickle/saddle feathers, which are long, pointy, and colorful feathers. Whereas hens will develop a cushion-- shorter, rounder and fluffier feathers.

Does this happen as early as a week?

 

[Chicken Girl1]

No, cockerels don't develop their saddle and sickle feathers until around 11-14 weeks. Usually you can sex them by their comb development around 6 weeks (sometimes more).

 

[Gray Farms]

No, cockerels don't develop their saddle and sickle feathers until around 11-14 weeks. Usually you can sex them by their comb development around 6 weeks (sometimes more).

x2, they are way to young to sex by saddle and sickle feathers.