The wing thing is what I do. Only the one way though. There is one that will work only with certain breeds, so I don't do that any more. That is the front little part of the wing feathers being long, then short, long, then short version. Can't remember the breed.I read something once about using their wings to sex, even as young as at IFA, etc. I can't remember the details or where, probably somewhere on this board.
I also read that holding them by the feet upside down - if they reached up they're a roo, stayed down a hen (think I got that right). I tested it with some of my chicks and it did not work. The wing one I couldn't figure out.
So I'll justKNOW you'll pick a pullet too!
What I do is watch how fast the wings and tail start to show. More often than not, the faster the wing feathers show, the more likely it's a pullet. I've done this right several times, but yep..got that Silver Laced Wyondotte wrong didn't I? I find going with three things..two being..wing feathering out sooner than later, and the tail feathers coming out sooner than later, or others..and, add a smaller comb..a pullet. Plus, the roos usually have thicker combs..and feet. It's just a guess, but when you put all together, I can come out pretty good with the guess. The thing is with these chicks that I just placed..the pullets all had the same size comb. And, no tails yet! Usually by a week, you are starting to see pin tail feathering. These chickens have large combs and wattles compared to so many other chickens..so the comb thing just wasn't going to happen, they were all showing comb. Ameraucanas don't show comb at first, you can go by how wide the nasal area is, sometimes it's easier to see in some than others. Plus, adding the feathering and the tail showing up. That's how I try to "guess" the sex. Oh, and the size difference in the siblings at hatch doesn't really make a difference. Like my lavender bantams right now. The one that I think is a roo, is smaller than the girl >for now. No matter, if I have two girls, they are pretty. Someone may have a male bantam that's looking for a girlfriend somewhere. lol... A couple of girlfriends if they are girls. But I still think the one is looking rooish.
I now have two pips in my barnyard mixes..finally! I will probably get woken up in the middle of the night with peeping sounds. The other 4 that went under the broody hen, has already hatched out two babies. The real thing is the best. She said that one is black and yellow. I can hardly wait to see the colors. I will probably get all buff. lol..
