Partridge Silkies - Nothing else

[Whittni]

Can someone answer my question? Is the chick on the left or the right the male?

 

[CALI CHICK]

Can someone answer my question? Is the chick on the left or the right the male?

They are really too young to determine gender.

Sorry, I don't see much difference in beak shapes in my silkies to distinguish between roosters and hens. Give them several months and watch for comb growth.

 

[peepblessed]

Can someone answer my question? Is the chick on the left or the right the male?

The chick on the right has the male type of beak but not always an accurate trait. It's just one of many tricks we try to use to determine sex.

 

[Whittni]

Thanks, I appreciate the responses! Just wanted to know if I should even bother raising the silkie chick under one of my broodies.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I don't get the whole male/female beak thing. With partridge, I look at colouring. With other varieties, I look at overall appearance, and also spacing of pubic bones.

 

[peepblessed]

I don't get the whole male/female beak thing. With partridge, I look at colouring. With other varieties, I look at overall appearance, and also spacing of pubic bones.

Silversilkie is the one who brought it up and it's at least 70% accurate with my flock. I always forget the pubic bone check!

 

[Whittni]

I don't get the whole male/female beak thing. With partridge, I look at colouring. With other varieties, I look at overall appearance, and also spacing of pubic bones.

New trick...? When can you sex them based on pubic bone width?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: I realize that; I just don't really see the differences.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Not really a new trick; I had an elderly life-long breeder show it to me a number of years ago. You can use it on all but baby chicks; just be gentle. You are looking at the anatomy to see whether there will be room for an egg to pass. The connections (ligaments, tendons, etc.) are not as rigid on the females as on males, so that is one aspect. The other is the amount of space. On a male there will be very little space. Pick up an adult male and see how close the bones are together. Now pick up an adult female and see how different it is. Next try young birds that you know the gender, or are at least pretty sure. Never force the bones to move or apart--you are just gently checking. Spacing is the prime aspect; flexibility is second.

 

[blessedchick]

Hi all! I'm finally at a point where I can decide what I want to focus on with my birds. BBS, white and Partridge pens are what I have landed upon. Parti's are so complex as far as genetics for their coloring AND simple color identification, that I'm having a tough time learning it all. Is there a reference that any of you experts would recommend? So far I've been pouring over this thread and the Silkie thread, trying to absorb all that I can plus memorizing color patterns (no color printer...). So I welcome suggestions!

Thank you!