Sexing RIR chicks-wanna make a bet?

Okay, my RIR are now about 4 days old. There are 3 of them. Using my astonishing chick-sexing superpowers I am going to predict their sexes. And in order to spread the knowledge (or folly) more widely, I am going to explain my reasoning....a monograph will soon be forthcoming.

I am basing this on three factors: Colouring. Rate of Primary Feather Development. Tail Emergence.

For those still interested in the Leg Pull Theory....they all tested as roos.

This first chick I predict is a boy because his "partridge" markings and head spot are very light and difficult to see.

And here is his putative brother. Again the very light markings and head spot.

While your chick sexing capabilities may well be highly refined, your use of the macro setting on your camera needs work. I would need facial close ups in order to consider your putative assignments of gender. I do not trust anyone who pictures their male chicks atop pink terry cloth. This is highly irregular.

And now for the lovely Scarlet. See, despite the flash bulb, you can see how much darker her head spot and markings are.

Dear Moxon. Dear, dear, envious Moxon....it is a burgundy background...and it is the flash that makes it so difficult to see details...but all will be revealed. Do you have your notebook ready?

Now for the wing feather development. First, stubby little boy wings:

Now glorious, luxuriant, pullet primaries:

My baby's got back--or in other words, this is the pullet's tail feathers:

Not much, you say. But wait--here are the boy's.

"Where?" you say.

That is the point.

This message was edited Dec 1, 2009 11:33 PM

So based on the arcane wisdom of the Noble Order of Chick Sexers: I have two roos and a pullet.

Any questions?

Moxon...did you say something?

Or two re-tards and a normal?

Well porkpal, now that you've brought it up--is it retardant male development? Or highly accelerated female development?

I vote for the latter.

OH Porkpal:o(

interesting...

yes Cmoxon.. she needs to adjust the camera a bit.. the cloth does look pink. :)

more baby pics please.. i want to see their darling little faces.