Wheaten ameraucana sex-link color sexing?

[WolfLady]

Hi! I got 4 adorable ameraucana chicks, it's my first time with that color and I've been told it is possible to sex them early as their color is distinctive. Is that true? If so, is it possible I've been unlucky and got only 1 pullet and 3 cockerels? Thank you!

Spoiler: Photos

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

Hi! I got 4 adorable ameraucana chicks, it's my first time with that color and I've been told it is possible to sex them early as their color is distinctive. Is that true? If so, is it possible I've been unlucky and got only 1 pullet and 3 cockerels? Thank you!

Spoiler: Photos

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I haven't heard of this but I am certainly intrigued. Following along to see what others have to say.

 

[black_cat]

After a quick google, they do look like the color of the hens. But no idea how it actually works, or if it means anything.

 

[WolfLady]

I'm confused too, curious to see if anyone will have knowledge about this. I'll keep updated in 2-3 weeks, the feathering should already be more visible by then.

 

[WolfLady]

I spoke with my local club and shown updated pictures of the baby (currently 1 month old), it's confirmed I was right, it's 3 cockerels and 1 pullet. I'm so sad

Updated pictures here if that could be useful for educational purpose

Spoiler: The pullet

Spoiler: The cockerels

 

[Eelantha]

I didn't know Wheaten Ameraucana chicks could be sexed based on feather color. How on earth did their breeder make that happen? o.o

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

I think the easiest way is to look for black breast feathers that cockerels have. Maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't think the wing feathering shows much, especially in birds that may be hatchery-quality

 

[Eelantha]

I think the easiest way is to look for black breast feathers that cockerels have. Maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't think the wing feathering shows much, especially in birds that may be hatchery-quality

That's true, but usually the black breast feathers come out when the cockerel is several weeks old. OP's chicks are 1-2 weeks in the first pictures, and they can already be sexed despite no black breast feathers being present in the cockerels. I don't know how their breeder managed this, but if Wheaten Ameraucanas can be sexed within their first or second week then why has no one else mentioned it?

Auto-sexable chickens are very appealing, and it looks like OP's breeder might be close to reaching that step. They only have to figure out how obtain slightly different down colors at hatch, and then they'll have auto-sexable Wheaten Ameraucanas in their backyard!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

OP, can you update? I'm not convinced those are all cockerels personally

 

[WolfLady]

Hi! I'm actually in the coop atm, took some pictures and will show soon I get back indoor. However, the 3 that were labeled cockerels already has red comb while the known pullet doesn't.