Wing feather development for sexing??

[HaileyandJoliesMom]

I read somewhere that Cockerels wing tips develop slower than pullet wing tips, is that true? My babies are 12 days old and some of their wings are much shorter than others. I have others of the same breed in the batch that have longer wings so I dont believe the breed is simply a "slow starter".

Any tips would be appreciated!!!

 

[gritsar]

One of the things I used to determine sex of mine was by the wing bows, not the tips. I know my cockerels were pretty bare across the wing bows long after my girls feathered out there. Here, take a look at this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=48329

Section #2 talks on the original post talks about wing bow feathering.
Hope that helps.

 

[HaileyandJoliesMom]

That does help, thanks very much!!!

 

[arlee453]

It's only totally reliable in those breeds that are bred for feather sexing...

 

[Morning Dove]

Quote:
What breeds can you feather sex?

Dove

 

[~SunSetsWest~]

I have had really good luck with wing tips on one day old chicks. Hold the wing open, on male the feathers, where the flight feathers will be, are all one length and fuzzy, on females there are two distinct rows of feathers, one long one short and more developed, not so fuzzy.

 

[what was i thinking]

my mother says all the time that i could do it with wing feathers?? i will have to try it

 

[Cason]

Quote:
Does this mean the method doesn't work after the chick is over one day old?

 

[hinkjc]

As arlee said, the parent stock have to be bred a certain way for the chicks to be feather sexed. It does not work for any specific breed unless they are bred for feather sexing.

Jody

 

[gritsar]

The method I was talking about in that link is not just for certain breeds. It looks at the total chick and the secondary sex characteristics they develop. It doesn't involve wing tips.