I Just Wanna Sex You Up!

Yep. I wanted to. With a little persuasion, I did. I thought it was fabulous at the time, but the proof will be in the pudding.

It was another first for me; doing it with an audience. Honestly, I would have much rathered they look away. Ya, I said “they.” There was more than one. And they were looming and watching. I’m pretty sure they were holding their breath(s) at first, too.

Today I attempted to feather sex chicks. 

Now, on some breeds, this is relatively fool-proof. Not these particular breeds, though, but I thought, “What the heck,” I’d give it a shot. So this time, instead of counting toes, I was counting wings.

Ya, I know, I’m grasping at straws. Pretend you don’t notice.

Last year, I didn’t remember having this issue. Last year, the guy told me they had a tank full of pullets, and a tank that was straight run. Apparently, he wasn’t right, according to the gentleman that I talked to today. When they order, they order 90% pullets. This year, they ordered 2,000 chicks.

Last year, I was told they ordered 2,000 chicks, and they were sold out at 10 am of the first day of chick days. I was lucky last year they let me get mine the evening before, and I assumed they would let me do it this time, too. Well, {obviously} you know that they let me, but he mighta gotten talked to about it. 

But I’m happy! (and yes, I did apologize) I figured 3 lil’ ole’ chicks wouldn’t be missed……….

So in I went, and the guy this time had no idea what they were or what sex they were. While I could tell what breed they were (because they told me which ones they had gotten), I was skeered I was gonna get more crowers. {gulp}

It was apparent I needed to get down to business. And so I sexed them.

Yep. I sure did. I found a boy in there, too, I know I did. I managed to do this with two dudes hanging over my shoulder, watching. By about the 4th chick, fortunately, they got bored and gave me some space.

You might be wondering how does one feather sex day old chicks?

For those that feather sexing works on, pullets (the girls) will have two rows of feathers, and the boys (cockerels) will have a single row. I’ve learned in the last week that my camera takes terrible close up pictures. I think I’m going to have to read the manual to see if I can change the settings and dial it in myself, but until then, you’re going to be on the receiving end of some really bad pictures.

I have, however, added arrows so you can use your imagination and see the two rows of feathers on my chickies.

Her name is Blue. She's a Production Red.

This is Apple. While she looks like a chipmunk, I assure you she does have wings. She is called an Ameraucana, but because she comes from a hatchery, she's really an Easter Egger.

Brownie. She's another EE.

Apple, EE,

Buttercup, EE.

So, there you have it. While I did my part in sexing them up, now we wait to see if it’s accurate at all.

If you want better pictures of feather sexing, here are some links to get you started:

Feather comparison; Animal Science, University of Missouri

The Poultry Keeper

Mountain Home Quilts

If you know of other sites that have good pictures, please leave a comment with that information!

P.S.- if you were counting, you’ve probably figured out chicken math struck again….. because I didn’t want to take any chances on not getting the girls I wanted, I got an extra one, you know, for insurance……..