sexing silkies

[mustangsaguaro]

Check the toes. Pinch the 1st and 3rd toes together (just under the middle toe) and if the toes are the same length, girl, if different lengths(outer toe will probably be the longer of the two) its a boy. Its a know Pigeon sexing trick. It is NOT 100% accurate, but pretty accurate. I have been doing it with silkies a lot, and just recently taught this trick to people at a show, who were then grabbing Adult cochins to see if they followed the rules too and they mostly did. The biggest problem with some silkies I have noticed is that sometimes, one of the toes isnt a full toe, like missing a toenail even so is just a stubby toe. It does not work too well then obviously.

What percentage would you say the toe thing is accurate? Also, can you do this on day to week old chicks? I have a few silkies that are about 3 weeks, while a bunch that are just days. I'll have to check this on my 3 adults I have first.

Thanks

 

[Tammys kevin]

i just did the toe test to both of my silkies, one is definitely female, and one is a mystery, they both have different length toes, the outer toe is about 3mm longer, so i cant confirm this theory. there's another theory that roos and pullets have different shaped beaks, roos have a more hook shape and are wider at the base, pullets have a curve and are slimmer, its a small difference, but should be noticeable if you look closely. again, just a theory

 

[leela2012]

This totally worked for me. 100% on the money! Thank you so much!

 

[coffeenutdesign]

Funny thing about the toe thing....this can be done to humans, too, but it's fingers. Again, not 100% accurate (what is?), but it's a fair generalization. If you hold out your hands, most men have a ring finger that is longer than the forefinger.

 

[MamaMarcy]

Hoping someone on here can guess the gender of my Schmelvis...

sorry the pics aren't great.

 

[Tammys kevin]

In the 3rd photo it kind of looks like schmelvis has a large red bumpy comb, if that's the case then I'd say rooster

 

[MamaMarcy]

It's HUGE...I'll try for better pics today if I can catch him

 

[SilkieRose]

Hello all!! I'm new to the chicken world. I have 5 3 week old Silkies. I have a suspicion that 2 of them are roos just by mannerisms, but I don't know much. Question: do roos tend to hang out together in the brooder box? The 2 that I suspect seem to be the most assertive and the others always hide under them, but sometimes i seems like they are only cuddling together & the other 3 are together. Does anybody know specific mannerisms that roos show when young? My daughter is trying the toe test now

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Hoping someone on here can guess the gender of my Schmelvis... sorry the pics aren't great.

Schmelvis is a boy, parti girls don't get that deep red color or a comb that big. LOVE his naked neck, what a cutie!!!! Nikki

 

[mindy1984]

I have only been raising silkies for a few months now but I bought two grown roos and 5 unsexed chicks. We have since sexed them we are pretty certain. We noticed that three of the chicks have grown big bushy "afro" like hair and the other two which we believe to be roos have mohawks. also, the two with mohawks, their combs, though small are much bumpier and rough looking then the other three which are very smooth. hope this helps!