5 week old Silkie, plz say it’s a girl!

[BirdieandFifi]

Hi,

I’m part of a lot of forums. Kind of a forum junkie but this one by far has the nicest users which makes me love it even more (so thank you!). I know....silkies are notorious for being hard to sex. But I’m getting a little nervous soo early on! My Fifi is a little over 5 weeks old. Sheep and sheep can be. Let’s my 7 week old Sumatra boss her around all day long. She’s scared of the world! Always hunched into a ball. In fact I didn’t even think she could reach her gravity waterer until I saw her stretch that long neck up 3” to drink it after she watched Birdie, my Sumatra do it. Couldn’t believe how long her neck was and how tall she could get if she wants. If she could, her tail would be between her legs at all times! By this I figured...or hoped at least she was a she!

Anyhoo, I know it’s soo soo early. And you really can’t see what her head feather shape will be but the question I have is, I always thought silkies have a black comb only. “Her” comb looks a little red to me. If you look closely at the pics you’ll see at the very top it looks a little pinkish. Or discolored. Please tell me that’s not a sign!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Silkies are a puzzle & not a breed I'm too familiar with but I'm guessing yours looks to be a cockerel (lots of comb & the head feathering) Still a bit young & Silkie enthusiast should be chirping in soon.

@JedJackson @Brahma Chicken5000 @junebuggena @Cyprus
Thank you in advance

 

[BirdieandFifi]

Silkies are a puzzle & not a breed I'm too familiar with but I'm guessing yours looks to be a cockerel (lots of comb & the head feathering) Still a bit young & Silkie enthusiast should be chirping in soon.

@JedJackson @Brahma Chicken5000 @junebuggena @Cyprus
Thank you in advance

Oh no! Haha I hope you’re wrong (but since they all seem to act like females you’re probably not!) thanks for the reply and help!

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

It's too early to be sure, by 8 weeks it should be easier to tell. If I had to guess now I would say the comb looks a tiny bit large for that age, making me suspicious of a cockerel, but I am not certain.

 

[BirdieandFifi]

It's too early to be sure, by 8 weeks it should be easier to tell. If I had to guess now I would say the comb looks a tiny bit large for that age, making me suspicious of a cockerel, but I am not certain.

Thanks. I think the angles didn’t help. Definitely made her head look like all comb. Fifi is also very squirrely so it’s hard to take a clear pic of her. But regardless, pictures don’t lie!

 

[drumstick diva]

MUCH,much, much too early for silkies. The comb looks awfully big for such a tender age, maybe he/she will grow into it. But at this time , I am thinking cockerel. For silkies 4-5 mos. is a much better time to evaluate gender. Sometimes you won't know for sure till it crows or lays.

 

[BirdieandFifi]

MUCH,much, much too early for silkies. The comb looks awfully big for such a tender age, maybe he/she will grow into it. But at this time , I am thinking cockerel. For silkies 4-5 mos. is a much better time to evaluate gender. Sometimes you won't know for sure till it crows or lays.

Thanks. I’m starting to think roo too! Only because everyone has been saying that. Fifi is also a hatchery chick if that makes any difference. So crazy to think there’s a good chance she is a he! Fifi is sooo passive and is always squatting like a ball of fluff. Only standing upright to eat or drink (we have gravity feeders in the brooder). Maybe that’s just a silkie thing though!

 

[Cyprus]

Cockerel
I know people are saying it is too early, but I've never incorrectly sexed a Silkie and I can tell from as young as four weeks.
I almost always correctly sex chicks young.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Cockerel
I know people are saying it is too early, but I've never incorrectly sexed a Silkie and I can tell from as young as four weeks.
I almost always correctly sex chicks young.

Wow, that's pretty risky!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Too young.
Post pics of the comb, crest, and saddle at 12 weeks.