3 Silkies - 5 Mths - Anybody have any ideas on sex?

[Stacyoung13]

Hi,


I bought my first ever chicks last week and I absolutely love them!

I got 3 silkies and the breeder tried his best to find 3 x females, but he seemed a little bewildered... unsurprisingly given the apparent difficulty in sexing them. I live in a tight neighbourhood and could really do without a Cockerel. I'd be forced to send him to a different home if I had one.

They're said to be 5 months and I'm clueless. Number 1 is smaller than the other two and more friendly than the other two... I think she is almost definitely a she... she seems different altogether.

The other two, I fear are actually cockerells. Can anybody help here with a more educated guess. I'm scared to death of one crowing the neighbours awake.

Thanks in advance

ps I've gained so much advice and so many tips from this website re looking after chickens so thank you all! View attachment 1737296 View attachment 1737297
View attachment 1737298 View attachment 1737299

I see the streamers that others are seeing, but you can’t go by that alone, I had a couple of females that had some ‘streamers’ before they matured. #3 stands taller, more roo-ish, but not so much in the face, (I have females with more comb). #2 has a Pullet stance , but sure has that boyish face with those waddles. #1 has the stance of a Pullet but can’t see her face. Maybe post some more pics? Where are you located? Here are a few of mine so you can compare and see what you think.

Year old Rooster, notice the stance.

4 month Cockerel, crowed first time Monday.

3 month Pullet

10 month Pullet

Year old Hen

Year old Hen, notice the size of her comb. She had me confused until she laid. LOL
You have 3 beautiful babies no matter the gender.

 

[Stacyoung13]

I see the streamers that others are seeing, but you can’t go by that alone, I had a couple of females that had some ‘streamers’ before they matured. #3 stands taller, more roo-ish, but not so much in the face, (I have females with more comb). #2 has a Pullet stance , but sure has that boyish face with those waddles. #1 has the stance of a Pullet but can’t see her face. Maybe post some more pics? Where are you located? Here are a few of mine so you can compare and see what you think.
View attachment 1737807
Year old Rooster, notice the stance.
View attachment 1737808
4 month Cockerel, crowed first time Monday.
View attachment 1737806
3 month Pullet
View attachment 1737812
10 month Pullet
View attachment 1737813
Year old Hen
View attachment 1737809
Year old Hen, notice the size of her comb. She had me confused until she laid. LOL
You have 3 beautiful babies no matter the gender.

I forgot the other pic I was posting just because it was cute. Hahaha

 

[jon85]

I see the streamers that others are seeing, but you can’t go by that alone, I had a couple of females that had some ‘streamers’ before they matured. #3 stands taller, more roo-ish, but not so much in the face, (I have females with more comb). #2 has a Pullet stance , but sure has that boyish face with those waddles. #1 has the stance of a Pullet but can’t see her face. Maybe post some more pics? Where are you located? Here are a few of mine so you can compare and see what you think.
View attachment 1737807
Year old Rooster, notice the stance.
View attachment 1737808
4 month Cockerel, crowed first time Monday.
View attachment 1737806
3 month Pullet
View attachment 1737812
10 month Pullet
View attachment 1737813
Year old Hen
View attachment 1737809
Year old Hen, notice the size of her comb. She had me confused until she laid. LOL
You have 3 beautiful babies no matter the gender.

Thank you! They are gorgeous by the way! Every single one is Adorable!

Those photo's are also very handy to gauge off too! I think you're right. I need to upload different ones. I've studied photographs at other angles and perhaps what are appearing to be streamers on uploaded #2 are not so. On most photo's it looks to be nothing more than a large pom pom. But then like you say, the waddles are there. I'll try some different angles at different times and really study them. As many have said, perhaps the only foolproof method is to wait for an egg.

Given a lot of reading and studying photos, the advice of everyone on here and my gut feeling, I'm leaning towards 1 & 2 being pullet and 3 a cockerell. I will update once I know.

I'm from the UK. Greater Manchester, England... Where males and females aren't always what they appear... & I'm not even referring to the chickens

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

I forgot the other pic I was posting just because it was cute. Hahaha

What breed is the chick? It's adorableness is overwhelming.

 

[Stacyoung13]

Thank you! They are gorgeous by the way! Every single one is Adorable!

Those photo's are also very handy to gauge off too! I think you're right. I need to upload different ones. I've studied photographs at other angles and perhaps what are appearing to be streamers on uploaded #2 are not so. On most photo's it looks to be nothing more than a large pom pom. But then like you say, the waddles are there. I'll try some different angles at different times and really study them. As many have said, perhaps the only foolproof method is to wait for an egg.

Given a lot of reading and studying photos, the advice of everyone on here and my gut feeling, I'm leaning towards 1 & 2 being pullet and 3 a cockerell. I will update once I know.

I'm from the UK. Greater Manchester, England... Where males and females aren't always what they appear... & I'm not even referring to the chickens

I’m glad I could be of some help. Don’t forget to post more pics, I never get tired of looking at Silkies!!!!

 

[jon85]

Ok... So an update on this... which I hope may help others. 1 is a hen. 2 & 3 were cocks. Both crowed within a day of one another and wouldn't stop once they'd sussed how to. Fortunately the seller took them back and we managed to get hold of two other silkie hens from elsewhere, both beautiful blues.

Looking back, I guess the biggest giveaway was behaviour. The cocks were always that little bit more aggressive, raising their hackles and glaring at each other quite often, whereas no.1 (the hen) has always been very very laid back and easy going. Also, the cockerels were noticeably stronger, harder to hold and grab, and weighed quite a bit more. Was fairly obvious looking back.

 

[Ladybird CA]

Wow thanks for the update. I’m glad she turned out to be a hen and this post helped me realize a silkie with a tail like hers can be a hen.