What are the main determining factors for sexing chickens

[plantmgr]

I've heard so many ways of determining sexes in chickens(before the inevitable cock o doodle doo). Roosters have pointy hackle feathers, hens have rounded. Roosters have redder combs and the obvious colorful tail feathers (when they come in). What I'm wondering is: which is the most important? I've been staring at hackle feathers for weeks. My chicks are EEs so they have little bitty pea combs - not real easy to tell there. And, some of the ones with the biggest reddest combs have rounded hackle feathers!!! They are 8 weeks old, and I'm still staring. I change my mind on some of them daily. If my camera was not BROKEN, I would have pictures on here for you all to comment on. Any takers?

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I can sex chicks at 2 wks old. Roosters grow alot slower then hens do. The females will have their tail feathers and wing feathers in and stuff and the roosters on the other hand will just have their wing feathers in! haha
Pretty easy and + the roosters will start to fight with your fingers and the pullets will squat on the ground,all you have to do is put your finger on their back and kind of press down and if it's hen she'll squat down for ya!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
EE are the hardest (for me anyway) to sex! I had a terrible time trying to figure them out.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
EE are the hardest (for me anyway) to sex! I had a terrible time trying to figure them out.

I know! EES and Silkies ...