Auto-sexing breeds are always purebreds and never crosses or hybrids. This method only works on breeds that present different colorations for males and females as chicks. Sexing Confusion Among Some Chicken BreedsĪuto-sexing is a method of sexing chicks based on the color, pattern, or distinguishing characteristic of the chick’s down feathers as soon as it hatches. This most often happens with rooster-less flocks or if the hen has been raised with mostly roosters. Keep in mind that in rare cases, a hen may start exhibiting rooster-like behaviors. However, there are also some behaviors that are unique just to hens: Broody hens will often exhibit the behavior of tidbitting when they are raising a brood of chicks and some hens will take on guard behaviors if a rooster is not present in the flock. Most hens will not court, crow, mount, or spar. Hens also exhibit behaviors that differ from roosters. This holds true for most breeds no matter what comb type they have. Hens will also have smaller facial features, such as a smaller comb and wattles compared to a rooster. Their hackle feathers won’t be pointed, and they will lack the long saddle feathers and tail feathers that are characteristic of roosters. Hens will have shorter, more rounded feathers than roosters. Plumage Color (in some chicken breeds & varieties).So, these characteristics can also be helpful when trying to sex young chickens. Roosters can start to perform these behaviors (or at least try) starting at a very young age (often around 4 months or earlier).
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