Anyone with experience sexing Buffs Orps and Silkies?

[Lelilamom]

I've only ever had Buff Orpingtons pullets and I've never had Silkies. I picked up 16 pullets on March 3 to add to my geriatric flock. All of these pullets are the same age, within a few days.

They were all supposed to be pullets. One Silkie started crowing this morning, but I can't tell them apart. Can anyone tell me if both of these are cockerels? Any insight on how to tell a Silkie pullet from a Roo? They just look like puff balls to me.

I have six Buffs and one appears to be a Cockerel. The comb is much larger than the five others (the other five has almost no comb at all) and he has a darker set of tail feathers. Anyone have experience sexing either Buffs or Silkies? Someone told me the Silkies might be bantams but they are bigger than my other pullets so I'm doubtful.

 

[Helloworld]

Silkies- hen and roo
Others- all are hens except pretty brahma boy in front.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I don't see a brahma.... One of your buffs, the one in the last pic, is a cockerel.

How old are these chickens supposed to be??

 

[JadeFarms]

One silkie hen and one definite silkie boy, will you keep and breed them?
It’s the second pic that’s a boy.

 

[CrazyCrttr75]

I'm assuming that the pics of the Silkie are just 2 pics of the same one? That Silkie and the Buff Orp in the bottom pic are definitely cockerels. The comb and wattles are very developed and you can see the saddle feathers cascading down on the Buff. As for the Silkie, that HUGE comb and wattles are a dead giveaway. You can also see what we call "streamers" on his head, the longer hackle strands coming down his neck and those long flowing strands on his tail. Not to mention his stance while standing. He's handsome.

 

[Lelilamom]

Hey Thanks everyone! They are about 14 weeks. The pictures of the Silkies are two different birds. One of them was crowing this morning but they look the same to me so once they start running around I can't tell them apart. How can I tell them apart, aside from the crowing? I do plan on keeping them all and if they have chicks, that's even better. All my laying hens are ancient! Some are 5, 6 and 7 years old and don't lay at all. I'm running a charity! I love my chickens and keep them as a hobby now and not for profit. Haha! Who keeps chickens for profit?!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Hey Thanks everyone! They are about 14 weeks. The pictures of the Silkies are two different birds. One of them was crowing this morning but they look the same to me so once they start running around I can't tell them apart. How can I tell them apart, aside from the crowing? I do plan on keeping them all and if they have chicks, that's even better. All my laying hens are ancient! Some are 5, 6 and 7 years old and don't lay at all. I'm running a charity! I love my chickens and keep them as a hobby now and not for profit. Haha! Who keeps chickens for profit?!

Then both of those silkies are cockerels, along with that one buff.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

One Silkie started crowing this morning, but I can't tell them apart.

So both of those Silkies have straight combs?? Not very many places sex bantams, where did they come from? I think they are both cockerels. Non bearded Silkies will have larger waddles visible than if bearded.. but there are enough poor quality Silkies out there, I don't suggest breeding these even if they were a pair.

Agreed the last Buff is a cockerel.

 

[Lelilamom]

So both of those Silkies have straight combs??

Well I had no idea what you mean about a "straight" comb. I know what a rose comb and pea comb, etc were. So I went out and looked at their combs. One has a comb that is much bigger than the other's and it curves to the left. The other looks like it is a triple comb - it is raised in the middle and has two smaller combs, one on each side.

You tell me!

Oh duh. By straight comb you mean just a plain old regular comb, right?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

By straight comb you mean just a plain old regular comb, right?

Yes. I guess it might be called a single comb.

Silkies should have a walnut comb. It was the hardest comb type to get correct that I have worked with so far. Supposed to be a modified cross between a rose and pea combs.

I couldn't see the whole comb from these angles... so when I saw points I though straight/single. Sorry, no ugliness intended regarding the quality of your boys. They're plenty handsome!

My friend lets her flock breed what breeds and she some pretty cool looking birds right now! Glad to hear your in it for the fun.