sexing

[sail2617]

Hi,
My chicks are 6 weeks old now. The Americanas are straight run and I am wondering how many are roosters. How can I tell? They don't have combs and wattles. Some are getting their beards and muffs in. Do the roos get them first? What does an Americana rooster look like, I've only seen hens.

Thanks,
Sail

[JamesC]

sail:
The problem with identifying Americanas is that they are a hybrid developed for laying coloured eggs. They're also sold as Easter Eggers and Rainbow Layers.
That is unless you are simply misspelling Ameraucana which is a recognized breed.

Here's a link to Ameraucanas:

http://feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Arau/BRKAraucanas.html

If there is no comb development on your chicks at 6 weeks, then I'm sure that you will see some in the next couple of weeks. Besides the comb and wattle development you should see the males getting larger and at about 8 weeks, the males' hackle and saddle feathers will start to come in long and pointed.

Let us know how they develop.

James

[sail2617]

James,
Thanks for your reply. Well, I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I bought them as Araucanas but then they developed tail feathers. So, really I'm not sure what exactly they are. I'm assuming now that they are Ameraucanas, but I see I misspelled that. It's soooo confusing :oops:
I'll keep watching for more clues. My Welsomers are already developing combs but nothing like a comb on the Ameraucanas yet. They are forming the muffs and beards, which is cool. I think they will end up being very nice looking chickens, I hope mostly hens.

Peace,
Sail

[JamesC]

sail:
The link I provided will give you a look at Araucana, Ameraucanas and "Americanas" (Easter Eggers/Rainbow Layers).
The hatcheries selling Easter Eggs under all 3 names is very confusing and it causes a lot of disappointment. Really, the only way to be sure you have Araucanas or Ameraucanas is to buy them from a reputable breeder and not someone who simply bought birds from a hatchery - that won't help at all - unless you're very lucky.

It's my understanding that some true Araucanas will develop tail feathers but those birds are usually culled by breeders as they work with their stock but they shouldn't have beards - just muffs, those feathers that stick out from the cheeks of the birds.

Ameraucanas will have pea combs which don't develop to be as large as a single comb, nor do they develop as early but you should begin to see some colour and a little more develpment in the combs on the males soon. But keep looking for those pointed feathers as well, that might be your first clue and maybe you do have more females than males. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

James

[sail2617]

Thanks James,
Oh, and.....I like your new avatar.
Peace,
Sail

[JamesC]

sail:
Thanks, I decided to get a photo resized and just needed a bit of determination - it worked.
The picture is a Bantam Dark Cornish Hen - a Show Winner from several years back.

James

[RonL]

and.....I like your new avatar.

James. It is vey nice looking :)

[JamesC]

Thanks Ron.