Gender question

[DonnaScott]

I was sure my baby chick was a roo. I have alot of people questioning that. I'm new to Silkies.

He is 10 weeks old and kind of a loner because his fluff causes him to be blind (working on fixing that).

I tried to get some decent photos even though the fluff covers his wattle and comb.

Thoughts

 

[Slothinc]

I’m sorry, I was one of the ones questioning Knowing now that the chick is only 10 weeks, I would say it is more likely to be a roo. When I saw the pics in another thread I thought it was an older chick.

The comb and wattles do seem fairly large for a 10 week old pullet. However, the super full fluffy crest looks like a pullet to me. Usually the boys have more of a “slicked back” look, even at this age.

Photos of the bird straight on from the side might be helpful. And there are plenty of others here that are much better at telling the gender than I am.

 

[DonnaScott]

I’m sorry, I was one of the ones questioning Knowing now that the chick is only 10 weeks, I would say it is more likely to be a roo. When I saw the pics in another thread I thought it was an older chick.

The comb and wattles do seem fairly large for a 10 week old pullet. However, the super full fluffy crest looks like a pullet to me. Usually the boys have more of a “slicked back” look, even at this age.

Photos of the bird straight on from the side might be helpful. And there are plenty of others here that are much better at telling the gender than I am.

In a side view all you see is fluff. It's very thick and full and hard to see the wattles and comb.

I'll try to take better pics tomorrow. I'm super curious now.

 

[Slothinc]

Tagging a few people who might be able to tell the gender of this bird. Looks like a silkie but has a straight comb/satin feathers.

@AinaWGSD @OrpingtonManiac @WingItRanch @tlcmurphy @The Moonshiner @2ndTink @Debbie292d @Cheekychook12

 

[AinaWGSD]

I'm terrible at guessing gender on Silkies, even mature birds are a bit of a challenge for me! I agree, the comb and wattles are bigger than I would expect from a pullet. But they're much paler than I would expect from a 10 week old cockerel (though if male he could just be slow to mature). The crest is more like a female though, and the color pattern looks like it might be female specific (hard to tell what color this bird is from these pictures)

 

[DonnaScott]

I'm terrible at guessing gender on Silkies, even mature birds areabit of a challenge for me! I agree, the comb and wattles are bigger than I would expect from a pullet. But they're much paler than I would expect from a 10 week old cockerel (though if male he could just be slow to mature). The crest is more like a female though, and the color pattern looks like it might be female specific (hard to tell what color this bird is from these pictures)

I really need to hear him crow. This is so frustrating. I thought he was a Roo but now I'm not so sure.

Maybe go from being named Gabriel to Gabby

 

[AinaWGSD]

I really need to hear him crow. This is so frustrating. I thought he was a Roo but now I'm not so sure.

Maybe go from being named Gabriel to Gabby

Nah, just go from Gabriel to Gabrielle. You could call her Elle  or Gabe for short (my mom hated the nickname Gabby, so I go by Gabe)

 

[DonnaScott]

Nah, just go from Gabriel to Gabrielle. You could call her Elle  or Gabe for short (my mom hated the nickname Gabby, so I go by Gabe)

From what I was reading red wattles and combs on silkies is rare and usually a Roo but then there is the giant fluff on the head which suggests a Hen

 

[WingItRanch]

Sorry, I'm horrible at guessing the 'fancy' breeds (like silkies and polish) but I appreciate the tag!

 

[LaceyJune]

Your chick looks to be a pullet, her smallar red wattles and thick rounded crest gives clear indication signs she is a pullet. Especially since she looks to be either a silkie or even polish mix since her feather are smooth rather than fluff almost like fur of a pure silkie. I hope this helps, what a beautiful girl!