Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Chicken star on August 02, 2012, 23:15

Title: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: Chicken star on August 02, 2012, 23:15
I have some 16 week old light sussex chicks. Would it be right to say that the ones with black tail feathers will be cockerels and the ones with out be hens?

Thanks
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: Chicken star on August 02, 2012, 23:16
A photo of the chick with minimal black tail feathers.
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: Casey76 on August 03, 2012, 06:45
If they are 16 weeks old, then I think you have two pullets :)

This is a photo of my LS at 16 weeks:
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/oconnka4/Chickens/Chook%202010/Sussex09Aug2010.jpg)

:)
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: Sassy on August 03, 2012, 08:05
Agree with Casey76. The absences of black tail feathers on the one would not indicate its sex. :)
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: ANHBUC on August 03, 2012, 10:12
I agree they both look like pullets.  My light sussex bantams are around 15 weeks old and the boys are crowing.  The lack of tail feathers is probably due to them being pulled out by the others.  I had one like that but they soon grew back.   ;)
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: joyfull on August 03, 2012, 10:44
I don't see how a magnet can change an Y chromosome to a X chromosome (or whatever chromosomes are the ones that determine the sex of the chicks). .
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: Chicken star on August 03, 2012, 12:07
YAY  :D
Thank you so much, I was worried that I was going to have to give them away.
If they are 16 weeks old, then I think you have two pullets :)

This is a photo of my LS at 16 weeks:
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y108/oconnka4/Chickens/Chook%202010/Sussex09Aug2010.jpg)

:)
Casey he is lovely! and thank you for the photo for comparison :)
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: ANHBUC on August 03, 2012, 15:22
I don't see how a magnet can change an Y chromosome to a X chromosome (or whatever chromosomes are the ones that determine the sex of the chicks). .

Think you have replied to a different post joyfull!  Easily done as I think we would all like the Holy Grail of Egg / chick sexing.   :lol:
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: joyfull on August 03, 2012, 16:16
Oh yes it's supposed to be on the magnet one  :lol:

Another senior moment  ::)
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: ANHBUC on August 03, 2012, 16:24
Oh yes it's supposed to be on the magnet one  :lol:

Another senior moment  ::)
How many is it for this week Joyfull?  I think I am up to 6 and that is starting from Monday!!  ::) :lol:
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: joyfull on August 03, 2012, 16:27
 :lol: sadly senior moments happens to all of us sooner or later (plus the fact that I am busy watching the Olympics and not concentrating)  :D
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: nerdle on August 03, 2012, 21:16
They are so beautiful!  My dream hens.
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: Sassy on August 04, 2012, 08:55
I don't see how a magnet can change an Y chromosome to a X chromosome (or whatever chromosomes are the ones that determine the sex of the chicks). .

Think you have replied to a different post joyfull!  Easily done as I think we would all like the Holy Grail of Egg / chick sexing.   :lol:

I thought it was my senior moment and spent ages looking for a reference to a magnet. So relieved! However, it will be me next time they come with increasing regularity :ohmy: :blink: :unsure:
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: shetan on August 04, 2012, 09:58
me too sassy. i went up and down the page looking for magnets.....my sister helpfully told me there's a magnet's on the high street!
Title: Re: Can you sex chicks by their tail feathers? (photos)
Post by: joyfull on August 04, 2012, 10:01
 :lol: :lol: