Auto sexing - brown English Leghorn Bantams

[rosiepie]

Hello,

We have just hatched 3 chicks which have noticeably different markings, one is very pale with hardly any markings and the other two are smaller with very prominent markings.

Chris suggested I post this topic as we would appreciate confirmation from the experts as to which are cocks and which are hens.

Thanks in anticipation experts....
Rosie

 

[tygrysek75]

I think you have some reading to do try this http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/6/6-3/determining_sex_in_chicks.html
The males usually lighter then girls so from your description you have one male and 2 females.

 

[rosiepie]

Thank you Tygrysek, the information on this link is very interesting and amusing but like you said it does sound like we have 2 hens and 1 cock - lets hope so...

 

[tygrysek75]

I do not know if this is a rule but few autosexing breeds have males lighter than females.

 

[Marigold]

Don't know if this is of interest but a friend posted this on another forum as she is thinking if getting some leghorn hybrids. http://www.oldmcdonald.ie/products/old-mc-donalds-partridge-hybrid.php?PHPSESSID=52469a3f72896688e09a473eab49b4b1
The relevant bit is about the auto sexing of the chicks by feather growth. Don't know if its any good for your bantams Rosie.

 

[rosiepie]

Thank you Marigold - were listening to my conversation with Chris at approx the same time you added this post. I told him all the chicks wings are feathering up with the exception of the largest Leghorn who might be a cockerel!