Aracauna x Silkie - What gender do you think?

[HiddlesKenway]

So, I have this Aracauna (Australian) x Silkie chick around seven weeks old. Can you tell whether it’s a boy or girl yet? Sorry about the photo it’s the best one I have!

 

[HuffleClaw]

Looking like a Pullet so far.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

I see no sign of being male yet.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Pullet so far!

 

[Quaicken108]

Silkies and mixes do silkies can be tricky at a young age. I think yours is a pullet but only time will tell.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

Which was the rooster and which was the hen? Depending on parents, it could be a sex link.

 

[HiddlesKenway]

Which was the rooster and which was the hen? Depending on parents, it could be a sex link.

Dad was the silkie (paint) and Mum was the Aracauna (Blue/Lavender).

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Dad was the silkie (paint) and Mum was the Aracauna (Blue/Lavender).

Not sexlinked, sorry

 

[HiddlesKenway]

Not sexlinked, sorry

Could you clarify how it would be sex linked though *if* parents were switched? What’s the gene/physically difference?

 

[Zemeraire]

Not sexlinked, sorry

Silkies have two copies of Fibro skin. 100% passed on to their babies.
Fibro skin only shows if they carry a copy of a gene that allows the fibro skin to show through.

This gene is sex linked with roosters needing two copies, so the rooster has two copies.
The copy of the gene from the hens can range because its impossible to select for outside of breeds that HAVE the fibro gene.

But in breeds with a gene that inhibits fibro stronger, the hen will pass this to her sons, while the daughters will only get the silkie version. Sons will not have the two copies needed.

In my flock, several hens have only had daughters with fibro skin and only had sons with non fibro skin.
Other hens (including the Aracuana) have had both sons and daughters with fibro skin and no offspring with non fibro skin.
None have had both genders with fibro skin while also having offspring with non fibro skin.