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SILKIES. Male or Female

post #1 of 32
9/4/08 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 

I have silkies that are about 12 weeks old. What is the quickest and the easiest way to tell the sex of these birds?
Pics would be helpful.


Thanks much, Jason


Edited by crazyelk - 9/5/08 at 4:00pm
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post #2 of 32
9/4/08 at 2:36pm

It's really hard to tell when they're that young, or at any age for that matter. And they all develop differently, so the best advice I can give you is take good pics of your birds and post them for everyone else to see and put their opinions in.

~Madison~
Yes. My icon is of a chicken shooting a rainbow laser out of its eye.
I win.
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~Madison~
Yes. My icon is of a chicken shooting a rainbow laser out of its eye.
I win.
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post #3 of 32
9/4/08 at 7:09pm

There is no "quick and easy" way to sex them at 12 weeks.  If you post pics, we can give it our best shot smile

Julie

http://tideviewbantams.webs.com
Bearded and non-bearded silkies in black, paint, and self blue (lavender).  Bantam polish in white-crested black, chocolate, and khaki.  Lahore and frillback pigeons.
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Julie

http://tideviewbantams.webs.com
Bearded and non-bearded silkies in black, paint, and self blue (lavender).  Bantam polish in white-crested black, chocolate, and khaki.  Lahore and frillback pigeons.
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post #4 of 32
9/4/08 at 9:09pm

Hi Jason,

Post those pics and let us give you our best guess.

Colleen
EE, Australorp, Silkies, Showgirls, Bantam Cochin, WCB Polish, D'Anver, Mille Fleur and Porcelain D'Uccles, Bantam Salmon Faverolles, some interesting mixes, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Persians and Maine Coon Cat, Ducks, and Sebastopol Geese.

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Colleen
EE, Australorp, Silkies, Showgirls, Bantam Cochin, WCB Polish, D'Anver, Mille Fleur and Porcelain D'Uccles, Bantam Salmon Faverolles, some interesting mixes, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Persians and Maine Coon Cat, Ducks, and Sebastopol Geese.

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post #5 of 32
9/5/08 at 4:30am

Hi Jason.  With Silkies sexing is very difficult, but there are some indicators to look for.  The crest is different in male and females.  In males there will be spikey feathers of varying lengths flipping back toward the tail.  The crest of the pullet is usually a puffball will all feathers of uniform length.  The shape of the comb differs (size of comb in young birds is not a very good indicator).  The males comb is wide from side to side.  The female usually has a thinner comb that is longer from front to back.  Body form and tail feathers are other indicators that I use.

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post #6 of 32
9/5/08 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 

What about these? Can you tell me anything about these pics?

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/14959_white_silkie.jpghttp://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/14959_splashnutter.jpghttp://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/14959_splash.jpghttp://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/14959_2_whites.jpg


Thanks for the help.


Edited by crazyelk - 9/5/08 at 6:24pm
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post #7 of 32
9/5/08 at 7:29pm

The white ones look like hens the other two are roos.

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post #8 of 32
9/5/08 at 8:18pm

I agree the white ones look like hens, the other two are hard to tell, better pictures would be needed.

Exhibition birds in Dutch Bantams, Bearded Silkies
http://www.silverpulletpoultry.net
Colorado Poultry Association
www.freewebs.com/coloradopoultryassociation
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Exhibition birds in Dutch Bantams, Bearded Silkies
http://www.silverpulletpoultry.net
Colorado Poultry Association
www.freewebs.com/coloradopoultryassociation
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post #9 of 32
9/5/08 at 8:29pm

i agree, the white ones are hens, gorgeous hens.  Having trouble seeing the other two clearly.  But you are very lucky to have such pretty birds.

Colleen
EE, Australorp, Silkies, Showgirls, Bantam Cochin, WCB Polish, D'Anver, Mille Fleur and Porcelain D'Uccles, Bantam Salmon Faverolles, some interesting mixes, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Persians and Maine Coon Cat, Ducks, and Sebastopol Geese.

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Colleen
EE, Australorp, Silkies, Showgirls, Bantam Cochin, WCB Polish, D'Anver, Mille Fleur and Porcelain D'Uccles, Bantam Salmon Faverolles, some interesting mixes, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Persians and Maine Coon Cat, Ducks, and Sebastopol Geese.

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post #10 of 32
9/6/08 at 5:02am
Thread Starter 

Thanks. I will get some more pics posted this weekend.

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