Gender help: silkies, cochin, orpingtons

[Mackenziemara]

All five are around 8 weeks old now. I’m 95% sure the lavender and blue orpingtons are cockerels, but if someone can confirm, that would be great. I think the buff cochin is a hen. No color on her comb and only small wattles. I gave her brother away weeks ago because he had a huge red comb and wattles at only 5 weeks old. I think the white silkie is a cockerel from the wide comb and his behavior. He challenges the two orpington chicks and walks upright. I think the black silkie is a female. Her comb is tiny and she’s the lowest in the pecking order and is a sweetheart. No streamers on either silkie yet. Let me know what you think!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Agree on everything, except that neither of those first two looks lavender to me. Both appear to be blue. (Blues have darker necks, lavenders have necks that match the rest of their bodies.)

 

[Wishing4Wings]

All five are around 8 weeks old now. I’m 95% sure the lavender and blue orpingtons are cockerels, but if someone can confirm, that would be great. I think the buff cochin is a hen. No color on her comb and only small wattles. I gave her brother away weeks ago because he had a huge red comb and wattles at only 5 weeks old. I think the white silkie is a cockerel from the wide comb and his behavior. He challenges the two orpington chicks and walks upright. I think the black silkie is a female. Her comb is tiny and she’s the lowest in the pecking order and is a sweetheart. No streamers on either silkie yet. Let me know what you think!
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I agree with you on everything except the Silkies... they are a mystery to me! I would be cautious sexing by behavior. I have had some very dominant aggressive pullets, and some docile, submissive cockerels, especially when they are in contact with other cockerels. Seems like the Silkies always keep people guessing. They are cute, though!

 

[AlleysChicks]

All boys except the buff Cochin and the black silkie (but that could change) silkies are tricky

 

[Mackenziemara]

Agree on everything, except that neither of those first two looks lavender to me. Both appear to be blue. (Blues have darker necks, lavenders have necks that match the rest of their bodies.)

Great to know they are both blue! I never would have known that.

 

[mrsfluff100]

Silkies aren't easy to sex at this age but their crest will say more than their combs. My guess from the picture is that their both cockerels. A pullets crest would not normally be that slicked back looking. The cockerels will have a more slicked back crest for a while and will eventually start developing streamers.