A Roo or Two?-First time chicken owner needs your thoughts!!!

[mainemommy03903]

I have recently purchased two splash silkies from a girl who thought that the two chickens were female. I've done a lot of online research and realize that sexing silkies is difficult. For awhile I've suspected that the "gal" in the top photo might be a roo. This morning the 3 month older, Clover, let out what may have been a sad attempt at crowing...IDK! This chicken is clearly the pack leader but not aggressive like I know some roosters can be-yet again silkies are supposed to have a great temperament. The chicken pictured lower, Fern, is definitely more snappy and temper mental. Any thoughts my fellow chicken lovers?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I don't see any streamers in the top photo. The lower photo has what MIGHT be streamers...I cannot be sure though. It could be a pullet too.

My guess is top- pullet, bottom- cockerel.

But I am guessing. I do have a hen that crows once in a while.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/267202/silkies-and-streamers

Here is information on streamers.

 

[Tricoglossus]

Could you please get some close ups of their combs?

 

[mainemommy03903]

Clover-bigger and more docile of the two

Fern-Smaller and very antisocial...this picture was so hard to get! I finally had to grab her and hold her because she kept running away

 

[Tricoglossus]

I'm finding it difficult to tell, they both have feminine crests, and the combs aren't very large at this stage. Fern looks to have wattles already which would be a concern for me. If the combs and wattles really grow and get reddish over the next week or so I would say they are males. If they remain small then I would think they are females. But you mentioned that one of them crowed, so watch that one in particular for comb and wattle growth. Have you had a look on the "silkie sexing" thread? There are a LOT of posts and pages but it is really worth having a look through that to get an idea of male and female development at a certain age.

 

[mainemommy03903]

So poor Fern's (Fernando) throat was slit by a hawk. He had developed the redding of the waddles and I think he died defending the girls. Poor Clover was heartbroken so I decided to get her another rooster...I ended up getting two because they were free to a good home. A week later HER?? waddles have reddened and now I believe she/he is a rooster. Now I have a trio of roosters??? Please tell me it isn't true. They're nice and all but 3!!!

 

[Tricoglossus]

So poor Fern's (Fernando) throat was slit by a hawk. He had developed the redding of the waddles and I think he died defending the girls. Poor Clover was heartbroken so I decided to get her another rooster...I ended up getting two because they were free to a good home. A week later HER?? waddles have reddened and now I believe she/he is a rooster. Now I have a trio of roosters??? Please tell me it isn't true. They're nice and all but 3!!!

Is that Clover in this photo? I think you may have a Clive!

 

[mainemommy03903]

Is that Clover in this photo? I think you may have a Clive!

Yes-That's Clover...maybe a Clovis? Lol. My friend is going to take one of the three roosters thankfully. WAY to many roosters in the henhouse!