Sexing your Silkies (PICTURES AND TIPS - Updated July-5-12)

[Christie Loves Silkies]

You have done a wonderful job with the pictures and info!
Well done!

 

[AlienChick]

Great post!

I just hatched 10 Silkies and am looking forward to noticing the different traits.

I already have three adult Silkies and I have noticed the differences you posted.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Opinions, please!!! Do I have a boy or girl?? This is Yoda, and Yoda is 5 months old. Despite the bird standing sort of low for the picture, Yoda usually likes to stand up nice and straight and tall. More like a boy. Would a girl do this too??? But there is no comb yet?? I'm totally fooled here!! At 5 months of age... shouldn't I know by now??! ha!!

 

[workinnanie]

Aoxa as requested I am posting 3 more pictures of my buff baby. He/she was a willing participant today! Thanks so much for the input.

 

[aoxa]

Quote:
Wasn't here for a while. Sorry!

from the pictures I am going with girl. I don't see any streamers, and her hackle feathers are not nearly as long as a cockerel's would be at this age.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=583893
Just looked up a young cockerel to compare your girl to. Same colouring. I believe the difference between the two is very obvious

 

[aoxa]

Quote:
I wanted to find a picture to compare your boy to online around the same age as yours.

This buff silkie boy is 4 months old. I definitely think you have a boy on your hands.

Now here is a hen, only one month older. Same clouring.

Obvious differences, yes?

 

[aoxa]

Quote:
That's wonderful! So glad I could help

 

[workinnanie]

Quote:
I wanted to find a picture to compare your boy to online around the same age as yours.

http://elitesilkies.com/images/Aidan Pic 1.jpg
This buff silkie boy is 4 months old. I definitely think you have a boy on your hands.

Now here is a hen, only one month older. Same clouring.
http://elitesilkies.com/images/Buff Pullet Pic 2.jpg
Obvious differences, yes?

Wow! I guess I have a Buff roo! Now I can come up with a name for him! Those pictures you posted leave little doubt! Thanks so much. Such an interesting thread!

 

[LeasureChix]

Awesome thread! Thank you for taking the time and posting the great pics.

Does anyone know if feather sexing works with silkies?

Julie

 

[jeslewmazer]

I found the thread very interesting. I have never owned any silkies..yet anyways.

I have however owned different breeds of chickens and for them I would disagree with the statement
Quote:
Now if it is true only for Silkies, I don't know, but for other breeds it is not always true. Kind of like a hen crowing or growing spurs. Most the time "the dance" is only predominantly in males, but some females (mostly the more dominate like the head hen) will do this dance. Most occurrences that I have seen have been in gamey and flighty breeds, but have seen a few cases in other breeds as well.