Girl or boy ? Silkie chicken

[LynnaePB]

What are streamers ? And where will I find them ? What’s the crest ? Thankyou xxx

Streamers are longer feathers that come out of the back of the crest. The crest is the poofy feathers on top of the head.

Here is a 10 week old pullets crest, it doesn't have any obvious streamers.

Here is her brother also at 10 weeks and you can see his streamers are just starting to come in.

This is a cockerel around 11-12 weeks whose streamers have become more obvious (sorry it's a little blurry)

And here is a 6 month old cockerels streamers.

 

[Chicalina]

note her compact body shape, almost flat comb. and daintier girly face

note his muscular body shape, taller stance, big meaty comb, long tail and streamers

 

[Chicalina]

Streamers are longer feathers that come out of the back of the crest. The crest is the poofy feathers on top of the head.

Here is a 10 week old pullets crest, it doesn't have any obvious streamers.

View attachment 2335024

Here is her brother also at 10 weeks and you can see his streamers are just starting to come in.

View attachment 2335028

This is a cockerel around 11-12 weeks whose streamers have become more obvious (sorry it's a little blurry)

View attachment 2335029

And here is a 6 month old cockerels streamers.

View attachment 2335030

we posted at the same time!!

And you did it much better than me!

 

[LynnaePB]

we posted at the same time!!

And you did it much better than me!

Yeah you beat me to describing what a crest and streamer was.

Yours are older than mine but great examples! Love your paint boy, those streamers on him show up beautifully!

The more examples the better I say!

 

[Chicalina]

Yeah you beat me to describing what a crest and streamer was.

Yours are older than mine but great examples! Love your paint boy, those streamers on him show up beautifully!

The more examples the better I say!

yours are gorgeous! Mine only have functional quiffs as opposed to fashionable ones!

Paint is a great colouration and god only knows what is in his genes because his babies are all colours!

 

[Jo4dunx]

View attachment 2335031
note her compact body shape, almost flat comb. and daintier girly face

View attachment 2335034

note his muscular body shape, taller stance, big meaty comb, long tail and streamers

Ah yes this is perfect I can see what you mean now ! This was so helpful Thankyou so much and my gosh arnt your hens and Roos pretty !!!!!

 

[Chicalina]

Ah yes this is perfect I can see what you mean now ! This was so helpful Thankyou so much and my gosh arnt your hens and Roos pretty !!!!!

Awww thanks! Yours are lovely too!

I find with silkies that the biggest 'tell' before the really obvious male things grow like tails, streamers and combs is their body shape and stance. Boys just look more masculine in the way they stand tall, the muscly more angular look to their shoulders and legs, and they just look like awkward pubescent boys growing a moustache when they are still at school!

Girl silkies are more round and squat shaped, bodies are lower to the ground, and generally prettier and more girly looking!