How to Sex Young Birds
When sexing birds at a young age we will usually choose 1-3 features to determine their sex. We decide on these features by the fact that they will develop differently or at a different time across male and female stock. Some features are better to tell in certain breeds and some don't work at all.
AUTO SEXING-SEXING BIRDS AS DAY OLDS
RED/SILVER
BARRING/BLACK
BARRING/BLACK
The most common way of creating sex links is using a red rooster over silver hens. This is the method used to sex day olds in commercial layer farms here in NZ. Males hatch out white while the females red. To create sex links using this method use a red rooster over a silver hen. They must have a red or silver base for this to work. Bird
The most common way of creating sex links is using a red rooster over silver hens. This is the method used to sex day olds in commercial layer farms here in NZ. Males hatch out white while the females red. To create sex links using this method use a red rooster over a silver hen. They must have a red or silver base for this to work. Birds such as RIR and Gold Laced Wyandottes are red while light Sussex and Silver Spangled Hamburgs would be examples of silver. Not all gold birds have a red base and not all white birds are silver based. Please see our genetics page for more information.
BARRING/BLACK
BARRING/BLACK
BARRING/BLACK
Another way to create auto sexing day olds is using the barring gene. The barring gene, that can also be known as cuckoo (cuckoo is a chevron shape whereas barring is straight) is sex linked. There is only one way to do it though and that is using a full coloured male over a barred females. The male offspring will all hatch out with a whi
Another way to create auto sexing day olds is using the barring gene. The barring gene, that can also be known as cuckoo (cuckoo is a chevron shape whereas barring is straight) is sex linked. There is only one way to do it though and that is using a full coloured male over a barred females. The male offspring will all hatch out with a white spot on their head, while the females will not. We recommend only using black based barred birds and black full coloured birds for this cross as other colours such as lavender and blue make the white dot not appear fully or is washed out.
Features To look out for 3-8 weeks
Red Combs
The most obvious way to tell if a chick is a rooster. Combs will start off the same colour as their skin, then turn pink in most breeds. Males combs will become redder and redder while hens will stay lighter till they come into lay. This also applies for their wattles
Comb Size
Comb size is also a good indicator, especially in some breeds were both males and females combs go red at the same time. Please see below what this looks like on each breed.
Behavior
Behavior
Behavior is another key indicator of gender, but it can't always be that reliable. Males tend to try fight each other, starting around the 6 week old mark. They will eye each other up, puff out their chests and their hackle feathers will stick up. Females may get into such displays though, but in general their nature is more laid back.
Feather Development
Feather Development
Feather Development
Some breeds, mostly heavy breeds tend to feather up at different rates. Around 3-5 weeks there will be a clear difference between male and female birds feather wise, with the females feathering up a lot quicker than the males. See below for breeds this applies to.
Colour
Feather Development
Feather Development
In certain colours, males and females have different coloured feathers. This will appear once the bird is feathering up, or sometimes a few weeks after as they develop their adult feathers. Please see list below of colours that do this.
Leg Size
Feather Development
Leg Size
Leg size can also be another indication of gender in young birds. Males tend to have large stocky legs while females are skinnier.
Head Tuft
Head Tuft
Head Tuft
In birds with head tufts (the large amount of feathers on the top of the head) in breeds such as Araucanas, Polish and Houdans the size of the head tuft can be another indication. Females tend to have a larger, more rounded head tuft while males have a smaller and one that's more in line with the skull.
Pattern
Head Tuft
Head Tuft
Once the bird is feathered up there may be a difference in the pattern between sexes. Laced Wyandottes for example, females will have much finer lacing all round while males won't. See below for list this applies to.
Wattles
Head Tuft
Wattles
The wattles on a rooster will reflect the comb, with males wattles being larger and redder than the females.