How do you sex silkies?

[kaddidle]

I am going to go look at some silkie chicks. Some are newly hatched and a couple are a few weeks old. I'd like to pick out a hen. Can anyone offer me tips on sexing silkie chicks? This will be my very first experience with the breed and sometimes I have a hard time telling hens from roos even with adult birds!

Any tips are appreciated.

 

[Illia]

. . . Wait till they crow.

There's a reason Silkies are sold in straight run - too hard to sex at a young age. I'd say look for the smallest comb, perhaps even the biggest topknot. . . But otherwise, only time will tell.

 

[kaddidle]

So a pullet might possibly have a larger top knot than a cockerel? They're such curious little creatures!

 

[destiny_56085]

You either wait...sometimes up to 10 months OR you get them DNA sexed just like a parrot for accurate results. Each line of silkies runs different...some get huge crests no matter if they are male or female, some have combs that stay small, some have big cushions, and some lines have females that are bigger boned or males that are dainty/girlish. Even at a few weeks I seriously doubt you will be able to tell much on the babies.

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Feather sexing! I think a male will have its feathers all in line and a females feathers will not be even!

 

[possumhunter]

Quote:
lol...you beat me to it!

 

[darkstarr nite]

look under the little chicky skirts...

 

[kaddidle]

Looks like I'm going to be crossing my fingers and taking my chances! At least I have a friend with a farm who wants to try out silkies and will be able to take a rooster off my hands if need be. I'm getting these birds strictly as pets and won't be willing to butcher them after playing with them for the better part of a year!

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
Or lay an egg.

 

[Sissy]

I have 7 month old silkies and 2 just found their voices
so I have 2 roos and the females do have Easter bonnets
as I call them
round big and beautiful. andI am waiting
for eggs to be layed.