Not Sure of the Gender Now

[stephaniemiko]

This is Margaret, she is six weeks old--we were told she's a silkie. She's the smallest of our three, and ironically, her comb is the most developed. She's a girl, right??

 

[SD Bird Lady]

is it a single comb? If so she looks like a silkie but must be mixed with something to get a single comb.

 

[stephaniemiko]

I don't know what a single comb is. Maybe? What's the other option? I just googled single comb . . . what's another option? It looks like just a row going up from her beak. I'm sure it's not called a beak, is it? I'm new at this!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

This is what a single comb looks like.


BTW I got this pic off of google it is not mine. The single comb is the top on the left and says single under neath it.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

A "pure bread" silkie should have a comb like the one labeled walnut. But, as far as gender I am no good at telling on silkies since they have black skin. Maybe try posting it on the silkie thread (below). Warning: many of the breeder threads can be very harsh in their judgements so don't take it personal, they are still a wealth of information. I have never been on the silkie thread but this has been my experience with other breed threads.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/297632/silkie-thread

 

[ShayBaby]

If it is silkie at all, it's a cross. Definitely not pure regardless of comb, which I can hardly see at all but doesn't look walnut. Silkies are very difficult to sex until nearly full-grown. I think it's still too soon to determine the sex of your chicky. Post again in a few weeks. Cute chick!

 

[stephaniemiko]

I guess I have an issue with the store where I bought my three. I had posted a picture of what they called an Amaraucana, and someone said no way is that an Amaraucana, it's an Easter Egger . . . so now my silkie might not be a silkie?? Yikes!

I appreciate the comb chart! I had no idea. Margaret's comb might be walnut looking, but so far, it's got definite bumps like the beginning of a single comb or a pea comb.

I'm not sad that they aren't the breeds I thought they were--I love them no matter what they are, but I feel sort of duped by they store. That's not cool.

You folks are awesome with sharing your knowledge!! I am grateful to you!!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Ya you will never see a feed store selling ameraucanas, they are always EEs. And I think it is dumb that they dont label them right, but they get them from a hatchery and I think they have to label them what the hatchery tells them to. But as long as you are still happy with your chicks, that is all that matters. Good luck with them!

 

[ShayBaby]

Feed stores are notorious for not knowing what the heck they're selling. I've gotten 11 different chick breeds from feed stores and not a single one is what they said they were.

 

[stephaniemiko]

That should be illegal . . . unethical at the very least.