Lucas Delgado
Blue Cochins are massive Asiatic chickens known for their abundance of soft feathers. They were brought from China in the 1800s and became famous when they were gifted to Queen Victoria of England. Telling apart male and female chicks is not always easy, and there are several methods to do so. One method is feather sexing, which involves observing growth rate differences in the primary feathers of hybrid chicks. Another method is vent sexing or cloacal sexing, which involves examining minor differences in the tiny cloaca inside a chick's vent. Other methods include observing wing shape, colouring, and patterns, as well as temperament, size, head shape, tail feather growth, and comb development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age to determine gender | Between 5 days old to 14 days old |
| Wing shape | Males have a curved "C" shape; females have a triangular shape |
| Colour | Male cockerels have plainer colouring with fuzzier lines; females have three colour lines |
| Comb colour | Males will have a dark pink comb as early as 12 days |
| Wattles | Males will start to colour their wattles around 6-8 weeks |
| Feathering speed | Males sometimes feather in slower than females |
| Behaviour | Males act more friendly and confident |
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What You'll Learn
Wing shape: Males have curved wings, females have triangular wings
While it can be difficult to determine the gender of chicks, there are some hints and signs that can give you a clue. One of the ways to distinguish between male and female chicks is by examining their wing shape. When the secondary feathers start to grow, the wing shape of male chicks is often curved like a "C", while female chicks have more triangular-shaped wings. This method of determining the gender of chicks is known as wing feather sexing and is commonly used by poultry professionals.
Wing feather sexing is based on the observation that male chick wings tend to have feathers of even lengths, while female chicks have irregular or alternating feather lengths. This difference in feather length contributes to the overall wing shape, with male wings appearing more curved and female wings forming a triangular shape. It is important to note that this method of sexing chicks is most reliable in controlled environments, such as commercial poultry operations, where sex-linked chickens are bred to retain this trait. However, it may also be applied successfully to backyard chickens with some accuracy.
In addition to wing shape, other physical characteristics can also provide clues about the gender of Blue Cochin chicks. For example, male chicks (cockerels) tend to have plainer colouring and fuzzier lines, while female chicks may exhibit three colour lines. Male chicks may also show early signs of colour changes, such as their combs turning from yellow to dark pink as early as 12 days after hatching. These colour changes can be indicators of gender, but it's important to note that there may be exceptions, and some varieties of Cochins feather in at similar rates, making it challenging to distinguish between males and females based on colouring alone.
The age of the chicks also plays a role in the accuracy of gender determination. Between one day to four days old, and then again between two to five weeks, it can be challenging to determine the gender as both sexes may appear similar. The best age range to determine gender is between five days old to 14 days old, where accuracy can be as high as 80% to 90%. By the time the chicks reach six to eight weeks old, their gender becomes more apparent, as the physical differences become more pronounced.
While wing shape and colouring can provide clues about the gender of Blue Cochin chicks, it is important to remember that these are generalities, and individual variations may exist. Combining multiple methods of gender determination, such as temperament, size, head shape, tail feather growth, and behavioural traits, can increase the accuracy of your predictions. Additionally, as chicks mature, other tell-tale behaviours may become more apparent, such as the "submissive squat" displayed by older female chicks nearing maturity and the "tidbitting" behaviour exhibited by male chicks.
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Colour: Males have two colours, females have three
Colour can be a helpful indicator of gender in baby chicks, but it is not always reliable. For one, it takes time for the colour differences to become apparent. For example, the colours of male and female Silver Laced Cochins, Partridge Cochins, and Gold Laced Cochins are very similar until they are about six weeks old. At this point, the males will start to colour upon their wattles and combs, and their feathers will become more colourful, with iridescent greens or burgundy.
Another complication is that the colour blue does not hatch true in chickens. Blue is a diluting gene for black, so while 50% of blue cochin chicks will hatch blue, 25% will be black, and the remaining 25% will be "splash"—a very light colour, pale blue or white with splashes of black and darker blue in the feathers.
However, once they are old enough to display their adult colouring, male chicks will usually have two colours, whereas females will have three colour lines. Male cockerels also tend to have plainer colouring and fuzzier lines.
Other methods for determining the gender of chicks include examining their cloaca (vent opening and sex parts) just after hatching, or by looking at the shape of their wings. Male chick wings tend to have feathers of even lengths, while female chicks have irregular or alternating feather lengths on their wings.
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Comb colour: Males' combs turn dark pink by 12 days old
While it is difficult to tell the difference between male and female blue Cochin chicks, one way to identify their gender is by observing the colour and development of their combs. Male chicks' combs usually grow sooner and larger, turning bright red earlier, while female chicks' combs tend to grow in later and become more red and enlarged before they start laying eggs.
Cochin chicks' combs can start developing as early as nine days old, and by the time they are 12 days old, male chicks' combs will have turned dark pink. On the other hand, female chicks' combs will remain straight and underdeveloped. By the time they are around five or six weeks old, the young male chicks' combs will start to turn pink or red, and their combs will also change shape, getting a tiny curve or bow. At this age, the female chicks' combs will still be straight and less developed compared to the males.
It is important to note that the colour and development of combs may vary among different breeds of Cochin chicks, and other factors such as temperament, size, head shape, wing growth, and tail feather growth should also be considered when determining the gender of Cochin chicks.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the accuracy of gender determination based on comb colour and development may vary and is not always foolproof. DNA testing can provide a more reliable method of determining the gender of blue Cochin chicks.
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Wattles: Males' wattles become coloured at 6-8 weeks
When it comes to determining the gender of Blue Cochin chicks, one of the most reliable indicators is the colouration and development of their wattles. Wattles are the fleshy, red caruncles found on either side of a chicken's head, and they play a role in temperature regulation and social signalling.
In general, male Cochin chicks tend to develop larger and more prominent wattles compared to their female counterparts. Specifically, between 6 and 8 weeks of age, the wattles of male chicks will start to become coloured, typically taking on a dark pink or reddish hue. This colour change is often accompanied by the initial growth of the comb, which may also exhibit a slight curve or bow.
On the other hand, female Cochin chicks typically display less pronounced wattles, and the colouration may remain lighter or less distinct. Their combs usually remain straight and underdeveloped relative to the males at this age.
It is worth noting that some variations exist within the Cochin breed, and accurate gender determination can be challenging in the early weeks. Silver Laced Cochins, Partridge Cochins, and Gold Laced Cochins, for example, tend to feather rapidly in both genders, and they may all resemble female pullets until around 6 weeks of age.
To enhance the accuracy of gender identification, it is recommended to consider additional factors such as temperament, size, head shape, wing growth, and tail feather growth. Combining these observations with wattle colour and development can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the chick's gender.
By carefully observing these characteristics and staying mindful of the variations within the breed, individuals can improve their ability to distinguish between male and female Blue Cochin chicks, particularly once the chicks reach the 6-to-8-week age range.
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Behaviour: Females hang upside down calmly, males try to right themselves
When it comes to telling male and female blue cochin chicks apart, one behaviour-based method stands out: holding them upside down. This method involves gently holding a baby chick upside down and observing its reaction. After a few seconds, a female chick will typically remain calm and hang upside down, while a male chick will attempt to right itself by lifting its head.
It is important to note that this behaviour-based method is not the only way to distinguish between male and female chicks. Physical characteristics, such as feather colour, patterns, and growth rate, can also provide clues. For example, male chicks may exhibit plainer colouring and fuzzier lines, while female chicks may have more distinct colour lines. Additionally, the shape of the wings can be indicative, with male chicks having more curved wings and female chicks displaying triangular-shaped wings.
The accuracy of these methods, however, is not absolute. Some varieties of cochins, such as the Silver Pencilled Cochin and Self Blue/Lavender Cochin, feather slowly in both males and females, making it challenging to distinguish between the sexes based on physical characteristics alone.
To improve accuracy in gender determination, some people combine multiple methods. They consider factors such as temperament, size, head shape, wing growth, and tail feather growth, in addition to slight colour or marking variations. By using a combination of behavioural observations and physical characteristics, one can make more educated guesses about the gender of young blue cochin chicks.
It is worth noting that the behaviour of hanging chicks upside down has sparked some concerns among chicken keepers. While some people use this method for gender determination, others have employed it as a form of "discipline" for roosters or to establish dominance. However, hanging chickens upside down can cause them discomfort and breathing difficulties due to the unique structure of their respiratory system. Therefore, it is generally advised to avoid hanging chickens upside down unless absolutely necessary, and even then, it should be done with caution and for only a brief period.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to differentiate male and female blue cochin chicks based on their feathers as they all look like pullets until about 6 weeks old. However, at 6-8 weeks, males will start to colour their wattles and combs, and/or the combs will start to grow. Male chicks will also have more colourful feathers, like iridescent greens or burgundy.
Yes, there are a few other things you can look out for. Male chicks tend to have longer pointed hackle and saddle feathers, while female chicks have irregular or alternating feather lengths on their wings. Male chicks also tend to have larger tails and wings. Additionally, females will have smaller combs/waddles, dark eyes, five toes, and dark skin.
Yes, male chicks will try to right themselves by lifting their heads if they are held upside down, whereas female chicks will hang calmly.
