Pure bred Silkie or mix?

[Carlyh]

I am new to owning chickens and I got what I thought was a Silkie. He/she has a lot of Silkie characteristics...walnut comb, black feet/legs with 5 toes, dark skin but this bird has feathers not the fluff I associate with Silkies. This bird is 6-7 weeks old.

Any ideas on whether or not this is a pure bred Silkie or a mix?

 

[lightchick]

Looks like a mix with a Cochin.

 

[kmollyhughes]

Or maybe a smooth sizzle? Sizzles are made by crossing frizzled cochins with silkies to get the curly feathers, but some come out smooth. Next generations are just sizzle to sizzle or silkie to get all silkie characteristics back. Did you get it from a breeder?

 

[Carlyh]

A friend of mine's neighbor gave him his entire flock plus a bunch of chicks. I took 2 Buff Orpington hens and 3 chicks...this Silkie mix, a buff and another mix . What would be your guess on gender or is it too early?

 

[kmollyhughes]

I would say cockerel. Comb is pretty big for being so young. Silkies are tricky. Some you can tell early, others take 4-5 months.

 

[Carlyh]

Thanks, I was thinking the same. He does a lot of chest bumping with the other chicks also. Is that a cockerel thing?

 

[kmollyhughes]

Yes. And the face to face stare down. Lol

 

[Michael OShay]

I don't know what other breed (or breeds), but he's definitely a Silkie x some other breed (or breeds). And I agree with the others that he's a cockerel.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I would say that he is a very handsome d'uccle x Silkie.

http://www.goldcoastchooks.com/duccle.html