Sexing Silkies

[Clappmeg]

Hi all!
I'm new to owning silkies though I've done quite a bit of research. I know that Silkies are notoriously difficult to sex, but I'm going to ask anyway - what are your guesses? We're really thinking we have one Roo (the lighter black one with a bit more pronounced wattles), and two hens (the gray and darker black ones). The Roo is very independent, very assertive, a little bit of a loaner and has pecked at us a few times. He always seems like he's on alert. The other two are always together and a bit more reserved and shy. It takes them a while longer to figure things out (like how to use their ramp) than the suspected Roo since they're such introverts. They are all around 8 weeks old.

 

[TwoChicksChix]

I'd agree that you have a roos with the lighter black one and a hen with the grey one, but the darker black one looks like it could be a roo too. Maybe I'm being misled by the wattles, a close up profile of its face will tell.

 

[Gilded Feather]

I’m wanting to say you might have two cockerels unfortunately. The second cockerel possibly being the one with wattles just starting to come in.

 

[Clappmeg]

I'd agree that you have a roos with the lighter black one and a hen with the grey one, but the darker black one looks like it could be a roo too. Maybe I'm being misled by the wattles, a close up profile of its face will tell.

I was wondering if maybe he's just not the dominant Roo so maybe he's just starting to mature later :/

 

[cstephens1987]

Yeah I would say both the dark ones are cockerel

 

[Clappmeg]

So I actually ordered gender tests for each of them. Went to do it the other night and just felt like it was really going to hurt them (though I know it's probably not that big a deal ?) especially when they're just starting to warm up to us. Any tips on plucking feathers for DNA testing? I don't even know really what to pluck since it's really more like fur than feathers!

 

[TwoChicksChix]

You want to pluck their chest feathers as close to the skin. You need to have the barbs because that’s where the dna is.

 

[Gilded Feather]

So I actually ordered gender tests for each of them. Went to do it the other night and just felt like it was really going to hurt them (though I know it's probably not that big a deal ?) especially when they're just starting to warm up to us. Any tips on plucking feathers for DNA testing? I don't even know really what to pluck since it's really more like fur than feathers!

Oh boy! Keep us updated on the results when you get them in!

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Hi, I'm new to owning silkies and wonder if anyone can help figure out if my silkie is a roo or hen!? he/she is about 9 months old and I've had her for about 6 months and was told she was a hen. No crowing, no egg laying as yet. I have 4 other silkie hens I got from the same seller, they all are laying. They all look different to this one too, the others of same age are bigger and more fluffier and look like hens.
Thanks for you help!

 

[cstephens1987]

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Hi, I'm new to owning silkies and wonder if anyone can help figure out if my silkie is a roo or hen!? he/she is about 9 months old and I've had her for about 6 months and was told she was a hen. No crowing, no egg laying as yet. I have 4 other silkie hens I got from the same seller, they all are laying. They all look different to this one too, the others of same age are bigger and more fluffier and look like hens.
Thanks for you help!

I would recommend creating your own thread for your question so it doesn't get lost inside someone else's. I'm bad at silkie sexing but it looks male to me. It's a bit fluffy but has what looks like male streamers imo, but again I'm not great at silkie sexing.