Rooster? Raising Chicks?

[sourland]

Both are hens. Hens can retain sperm from a mating up to 4 weeks after a rooster is rehomed, but that is irrelevant as the OP purchased fertile eggs.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Unless she has other roosters I’d say one of these is definitely a rooster!

She says she previously had other silkies, and one of those, who could have been male, may have been the father.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Once my hen went broody she stopped laying eggs all together for several weeks & was sitting on nothing so I purchased some fertile eggs online. As soon as I brought those in they were both on them 24/7.

I would think if she got chicks she has a rooster!

 

[terrilynn 8659]

Ok let’s solve this. Can you keep only those two together and see if you get more chicks?

 

[Lilokieescorter]

He actually screeches. It’s not pretty.. haha but he’s nvr laid an egg & he has waddles. Looks much different than my hen. I thought it was strange when he 1st started getting in the nest as soon as my hen would leave it.
I’ve had them both a little less than a year. I wasn’t sure who was who but I’m pretty confident he is a he. Is there a way to add videos?
Thanks for your response

You have to upload to YouTube & then copy link to here

 

[Feath3rDust3r]

I think Silkie roos have some sort of parental instinct. My white roo (definitely a roo) fathered some chicks. I have 3 hens and 1 roo. The other hens would take turns sitting on the nest and often the roo would sit right along with them. After the babies hatched I couldn't believe it, but the rooster would get babysitting duty. He would be sitting outside in the sun with the chicks in his feathers while mama was eating!!

 

[paloozaparty]

Definitely a hen!!!

 

[Kazzandra]

Growing up we called hens like this hensters. When there is no one doing rooster duty, sometimes a female will step into the role, try to crow, stop laying, vocalizing more, becoming more aggressive, and even growing mini-spurs in some breeds.
But yeah, as someone who has raised a lot of silkies, those are both hens, I think. The males can take 7 months so show gender, though, but they also won't do female behaviours.

 

[StardustChicken]

My Silkie Rooster went broody & has been sitting on eggs right next to my hen.19 days in they successfully hatched 3 chicks View attachment 2550905

View attachment 2549312View attachment 2549314

I saw that you said that they'll be a year in April? Here's my non-bearded roo at 7 months for a bit of feature reference. Good luck sexing those new chicks!

Here he is at 3 months, you can see his comb starting to get a decent size and early wattles

Silkies are such hard little fellas to sex, but this is a great site to hear what other people think as early as 8 weeks!

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

I saw that you said that they'll be a year in April? Here's my non-bearded roo at 7 months for a bit of feature reference. Good luck sexing those new chicks!
View attachment 2564721
Here he is at 3 months, you can see his comb starting to get a decent size and early wattles
View attachment 2564725
Silkies are such hard little fellas to sex, but this is a great site to hear what other people think as early as 8 weeks!

I’m in love with your rooster!