18 week old silkies

[Ziphie]

I am really hoping I am wrong and would love some opinions. My latest group of silkies, 5 in total, appear to be 4 boys and 1 girl. The 3 buff (boys?) appear to have streamers and a reddish color on the face but not a lot of development as far as comb and wattles. The white (boy?) has very large comb and wattles, reddish tint to the face and slightly less as far as streamers. The black (girl?) has no reddish color, small comb and no wild hair do.
I know silkies can be difficult and would appreciate some input from others who may have more experience with the breed.

If need be I can get some full body pics, or try to.. My chickens tend to be stubborn when I try taking pictures

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The white boy is maturing the fastest.

None are bearded so their waddles are bigger than I'm used to seeing.

The buff above the black girl has NO comb that I can see and waddles are very small.

Sorry not so much help.

 

[Ziphie]

Yeah, all 3 buff have very little as far as comb and wattles. Just the slightly reddish color and wild hair that makes me question those 3 at the moment

 

[Ziphie]

I am beyond confused at this point . Someone has been laying for the last week, about 3 eggs so far. They are very small eggs and are being left in the duck house.

Just to give a bit of back story, I raised the 5 silkies and 2 ducks together so they are all one happy little family and think of the duck house as their coop. I refer to them as my chucks, chicken+ducks I actually have to put them in the chicken coop at night with the rest of the chickens.

Anyway, I decided to check the silkies tonight when I put them in the big coop and the white silkie has a 2 finger width in her pelvic bones where the other 4 do not. What I know about chickens that happens when they are laying. The 1 silkie that is the largest of the 5, has a huge comb and wattles in comparison, looks more like a boy than any of them and "she" is laying. Also isn't 17 weeks kinda young for a silkie to start laying?

Its not everyday but I am thinking of putting her in the kennel I have set up for broody hens to see if I get an egg and I will know for sure if it is her.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Pictures 6 & 8 are pullets. I’m thinking the Buff Silkies are pullets and the White is your only cockerel, but full body pictures will be needed.

 

[Ziphie]

Do cockerels usually have a gap in their pelvic bones like a laying hen? I forgot to add to my previous post that the white one also squats when I go to grab him/her. Do males ever do that?
Also in regards to streamers, aren't they the darker, longer feathers on the heads? I don't have a ton of experience with silkies so I am assuming that's what I am seeing on the top and back sides of their crests of the buff silkies.

I will see about getting some full body pictures tomorrow morning when I let them out for the day

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Males should not be squatting for you. It may be a point of lay pullet.

 

[Ziphie]

Why do silkies have to be so confusing

 

[IndianaChickadee]

The white one looks like my white silkie roo!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Silkies are one of the most difficult breeds to sex before 4-5 mos. of age and sometimes NOT till they crow or lay. Would you please take new photo of each, facing forward with crest held or pulled back to display entire extent of comb?