Feather Clues: Telling Chicks Apart Early Looking for a gentle way to identify the sex of your chicks? Their feathers hold the answer! Girls first: Female chicks grow their primary feathers faster than the coverts Boys catch up: Males grow both feather types at nearly the same rate Best results with fast-feathering breeds Watch the shape: females show a “step” between feather layers, while males have a smoother curve This method works best in the first few days after hatch Perfect for backyard keepers and small breeders looking for early signs Nature gives us subtle signssometimes, all it takes is a closer look. 襁