It's that time: 12 week old Silkie

[Zinjifrah]

Personally, I'm leaning toward male on this one. It's top bird, even over my Sebright cockerel who certainly thinks he's a rooster. However, it never postures, just lets him posture at it and then pecks him on the top of the head until he meeps and hides under its chest. The silkie is one week older than the Sebrights, but they were in the brooder together from arrival. The head feathers seem pretty round, but it has some glossy feathers coming in on the tail with iridescence. The wattles are pretty large, but I've read that's possible in pullets, as well. The comb seems pretty small to me still. It has a lot of pinfeathers around its back end, so I assume it'll be a lot fuller there soon. Unfortunately, a cockerel is going to have to be rehomed, since I got a silkie to have a broody female - and I already have way too many cockerels.

Sorry about the wind. You can see in the side-shot below that the topknot and tail are blowing forward. Pouf was not being cooperative, and I can't blame it. It's HOT out. I got help, and made time out in the sun as brief as possible, else I'd have worked on better photos.

Side:

Tail, where you can see some of the 'glossy' feathers:

Comb (Got its head damp to keep the feathers back):

Any and all opinions on gender are welcome!

Disclaimer: I know Silkies can be hard to identify gender on. 12 weeks is the soonest I'd ask for thoughts on the matter. I anticipate I'll be keeping Pouf around regardless of the results, until I can be absolutely certain.

 

[SheenaMills]

I’m thinking roo.

 

[Zinjifrah]

I’m thinking roo.

Thank you.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Cockerel. Huge comb.

 

[Zinjifrah]

Cockerel. Huge comb.

Hmm, it seemed fairly small compared to the combs I've seen on Silkie cockerels - I didn't realize it would be considered that large. Thank you.

 

[Birds of a Feather]

I don't know much about Silkies, but that looks like a cockerel due to the size of the wattles (and comb) at 12 weeks.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Hmm, it seemed fairly small compared to the combs I've seen on Silkie cockerels - I didn't realize it would be considered that large. Thank you.

it’s still young. It will get larger.

 

[Zinjifrah]

I don't know much about Silkies, but that looks like a cockerel due to the size of the wattles (and comb) at 12 weeks.

It’s still young. It will get larger.

Thank you to both of you. Unfortunately, that confirmed my suspicions... it looks like Pouf and Angel, my Silver Sebright cockerel, will both need to go to new homes. If I'm going to keep cockerels, I'd rather keep Seramas, and I've got six to choose from... Next chore; convincing myself to part with some of my Serama cockerels.

 

[drumstick diva]

I know I am the odd one out, but, I think it's a fiesty pullet. Some pullets have large combs

 

[Zinjifrah]

I know I am the odd one out, but, I think it's a fiesty pullet. Some pullets have large combs

We'll see! I hope you're right - but Pouf will be sticking around until I'm absolutely certain, just in case. I've read too many reviews where people were certain they had one gender, with a Silkie, only to have it turn out to be the other. I just won't be getting my hopes up too much!