Does anyone know how to sex young Silkies?

[KiwiChickenGirl2020]

Hello, I am thinking of getting a white Silkie chick/ young chicken, but where I am thinking of picking them up they are unsexed. So if anyone has a little advice on how to sex 5 week old or 8 week old Silkies it would be very helpful!

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Silkies generally take longer than that. @PioneerChicks has given the best advice I’ve seen when it comes to sexing silkies. Maybe they have any tips?

 

[KiwiChickenGirl2020]

Silkies generally take longer than that. @PioneerChicks has given the best advice I’ve seen when it comes to sexing silkies. Maybe they have any tips?

Okay, thanks very much!!!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Often it is better to wait until 12 weeks to be sure, but you can start guessing at eight.
@LynnaePB and @MysteryChicken are great at this stuff!
Here is an article about it: Sexing Silkies
Once they are about three months old you can post pictures here and we can sex them for you.
Good luck!

 

[JedJackson]

I don't think there is any way to be sure that you are buying females at that age unless the seller is willing to send samples to a lab to determine sex for you.

If you are trying to sex them by sight, the most important thing to look at is the comb. For a female, it should be small and pretty much flat to the head, and not too wide. Males will have larger, more pronounced combs. If wattles are present, that's an indication of a possible male too.

If it is really important to you to only get females, you should buy older birds. They will cost more but with an honest seller you will then get exactly what you want.

 

[Painted Calls]

I don't think there is any way to be sure that you are buying females at that age unless the seller is willing to send samples to a lab to determine sex for you.

If you are trying to sex them by sight, the most important thing to look at is the comb. For a female, it should be small and pretty much flat to the head, and not too wide. Males will have larger, more pronounced combs. If wattles are present, that's an indication of a possible male too.

If it is really important to you to only get females, you should buy older birds. They will cost more but with an honest seller you will then get exactly what you want.

To add to this, and this goes for everyone reading, for all breeds...

Feel free to get pictures of any birds you're interested in and post them here before buying. We will be happy to help you sex your birds before you buy them.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Often it is better to wait until 12 weeks to be sure, but you can start guessing at eight.
@LynnaePB and @MysteryChicken are great at this stuff!
Here is an article about it: Sexing Silkies
Once they are about three months old you can post pictures here and we can sex them for you.
Good luck!

I usually sex them at 1-3 days old by Wing Feather buds. But, comb sexing is usuable at the later ages. Like thickenes, & width.

Another method I use if I'm unsure is posture, combined with comb, & presence of streamers at around the 4,5, & 6 month marker. This is usually handy with those that have smaller crests. Can be helpful with Silkies with larger crests too.

A couple things Males, & females can have in common are an Upright posture, & Streamers. Females rarely get streamers, but it happens. I have a 6 month old pullet with streamers. Voice helps Distinguish a girl with streamers, from a boy. Boys have a deeper voice.

Coloration if their Partridge is a handy way of sexing to, since males usually get color patches on their shoulders, & have a colored wing triangle. Depending on the quality of partridge, males will have black, breast feathers. If Blue Partridge, they'll have Blue Breast feathers.

 

[JedJackson]

To add to this, and this goes for everyone reading, for all breeds...

Feel free to get pictures of any birds you're interested in and post them here before buying. We will be happy to help you sex your birds before you buy them.

Yes, that is a good option so long as the seller is willing to provide the necessary pictures before a sale has been agreed upon. I think most good ones would do so.

 

[Painted Calls]

Yes, that is a good option so long as the seller is willing to provide the necessary pictures before a sale has been agreed upon. I think most good ones would do so.

That would be the hardest part, but worth a shot.

 

[JedJackson]

That would be the hardest part, but worth a shot.

Yes. And in a way it would be good because it might help weed out bad sellers. If someone has something to hide and won't provide pictures then it may be better to buy from someone else.