Vent Sexing (Japs)

In the continuing attempt to sex "Maglet" I had a look at Boy Chickie's vent this morning, he has just started producing foam (well, the last time I checked was the day I first thought he was crowing, in an effort to figure out if I could call him "mature"). He has also been crowing for about 5 days. The birds are 6.5 weeks old.

I read on a site (which of course I now can't find) that sometimes a dominant male's presence stops other males crowing and foaming...Is that common? Since they've grown up together and there's no dominant behaviour I didn't think it was too likely. With my goldens they both foamed and crowed together.

In summary, 2 questions

1) What age is vent sexing reliable?
2) Is it true that it might not be reliable if there are other males present?

1. 6 weeks
2. I've never heard that before, but I dont think its true, I have between 5 and 9 males in each pen, all foam, all crow and all tread - sometimes even each other

I've posted vent sexing photo's in the reference section, but you could just compair butts to your older birds.

Suz

Hi Emma,

I've just checked on my birds. Results being:-

The active breeding males on 16 hours day length, are all foaming, all six males are mating and crowing.

I've checked another group of non breeding birds that are in an outdoor run, (no lights) and the males are dry, they are not active, the females are not laying.

I just done a check on some that are in a brooder @6½ weeks old, these are on 8 hour day length are are showing no signs of foaming.The males (9) have not stared to crow either.

That's my findings.
Derek.