Sexing bantams

[josaphine32]

We are the proud owners of 4 little bantams, We bought them on saturday and i spent all afternoon yesterday putting together there new coop with run, The lady who we got them from told us that 3 were pullets, and the little speckled one the breeder was unsure of if it was a male or not, My friend came around last night to try to sex it but she was also unsure, If it is a male what age do they start to crow, he/she is about 12 weeks old,

Any advice regarding bantams would be great
many thnaks

[duduka]

I can help you. you must go to http://asdurben.blogspot.com/?q=bantam

[wildwood]

Hi Josaphine. I have no idea what breed of bantams you have and that has some bearing on how easy they are to sex.
With most breeds, at 12 weeks you should start to see some sort of shiny iridescent pointed feathers around the neck and on the sides of the saddle (lower back in front of the tail) area. This indicates a sure rooster. Hens don't have these.
If they were all the same breed you'd find that the roosters would be a bit taller by now but I presume from your question that they are different breeds.

I guess it should be starting to make attempts at crowing by now but it could be another 3month before he will be serinading you.

This is pretty much a generalisation as size/health etc. come into it too.

[heathfield]

One old trick is to throw a object, like a frisbee, or a hat, over the group. If they look on it as possibly a bird of prey, hens will cower, but a male will stand erect and look upward, ready to ward off the enemy. Maybe worth a try?