Hen or cockerel??

[A silver laced dad]

I think he or she is about 10 or 11 weeks. There is a better picture I took today as my profile picture. And it is a silver laced polish.

 

[JedJackson]

I guess my silkie was an early bloomer.

No, cockerels can crow much earlier than 16 weeks, or much later. There's really no telling.

I'm just saying that usually we can tell sex by 7 or 8 weeks, but with Polish, Silkies and a few other breeds, it's often not possible until later on. In Silkies it's because they don't have normal feathering, so unless you get a bird with a really large comb early on it can be difficult to tell. With Polish, especially bearded Polish, the crest and tiny, often hidden combs are what makes things difficult. The bird pictured above doesn't even look like it is fully feathered out, so in my opinion, it is too early to sex it. But others will have different opinions, and those are equally valid. I'm just putting my 2 cents worth in like everyone else.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I guess my silkie was an early bloomer.

I raised Silkies for a few years... some were identifiable within a few days of hatch as male... and one even started crowing around 4 weeks! Others have been trying to mate by 8 weeks old... yes, Silkies. Almost all boys could be identified by 8 weeks with experience with the individual LINE and knowing their genetics.

I have seen a LOT of poor lacing on hatchery birds... with poorly laced females... so it may be best not to jump to conclusions... but in laced breeds... The solid barring on the shoulder is very tell tell... in MY experience... regardless of comb or waddle development. It is still a little early for saddle feathers and "streamers" are too subjective at this age... but a standing side shot would be nice... maybe with an up close on waddle COLOR, as stated the bearding gene inhibits waddle size. My Polish (bantam) cockerel... didn't crow until more than 30+ weeks old... All personalities are such individuals!

Not often too obvious before 12 weeks, and much later on some breeds or individuals.

Example to show the difference in lacing between male and female on the wing top/shoulder... of laced breed varieties.

 

[L1sa]

My 13 week old Silkie has been crowing for a couple of weeks, and him and his brother had their first cock fight today, will have to think about separating them if it continues!

But I agree with @EggSighted4Life some Silkies are easy to tell early. My Silkies were easily identifiable by 6 weeks.

Got no idea about my 3 week old Polish though!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

will have to think about separating them if it continues!

If you are keeping them... I would keep them together and let them work it out.

If there is one relentless aggressor even though the other is submitting... I put the chase to the chaser so they can shift their focus from offense to defense... it *usually* works.

Once they get separated there will be no putting them back together.

Most often, the ones I don't have a clue about are female.
But... if we don't know for sure, we presume all are boys until proven innocent... this way we are pleasantly surprised instead of disappointed the one we like isn't a hen.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Post clear.pics of the comb, crest, and saddle at 12 weeks.