Methods for sexing
There are four accepted methods for sexing day-old chickens:
* cloacal or vent sexing (1935)
* machine method (1950s)
* feather sexing (1969)
* colour sexing (1975).
1. Vent or cloacal sexing
The art of vent or cloacal sexing of day-old chickens is difficult to master without instructions from an experienced sexer. Use the following to help develop the procedure. Before examining the vent, discharge the chicken’s excretions by lightly pressing on both sides of the abdomen in a downward motion.
* Place the chicken on its back in the palm of your hand with the head towards you, put thumb and first two fingers around its thighs to hold it.
* Tip your hand so that the chicken’s breast is towards you, vent uppermost.
* Place your middle fingers over the chicken’s breast to support the chicken leaving your thumb free. (If you have large hands, place the chicken’s head between your little finger and ring finger for additional support.)
* Place the thumb of your other hand on the lower portion of the vent (anus).
* Using the index finger start from the top of the vent moving down, back and around, rolling the vent in a sideways action.
* At the same time a similar action with the free thumb, starting from the top and rolling down and back.
* With the thumb and forefinger placed either side of the vent apply gentle pressure and a rolling action to evert the vent and expose the male eminence or lack of it (sexed as female). After a little practice this can be accomplished without injury or significant discomfort to the chicken.
The eminence or genital organ is found midway on the lower rim of the vent, and looks like a very small pimple. Even though its size and shape can vary considerably, it can be recognised with a little practice and a keen eye. Most males have a relatively prominent eminence, most females have none. However, a small proportion of both males and female have relatively small eminences. Sexing these chickens can be quite difficult but with regular practice the sexer will eventually learn to identify the differences.
When learning to sex chickens it is best to assume that chickens with small eminences are female. The male eminence is solid and will not disappear upon gentle rubbing with your thumb. Having access to chickens of known sex is a great help in developing the art of vent sexing and feather sexed meat chickens are ideal for this purpose.
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