Sexing Silkies

[homeschoolin momma]

They are as integrated as I can get. They are in the same coop at night, same run for food and water, and free range through the day. But no matter where they are, they are separated from each other. Even in the coop, the big girls take the highest roosting bar all together and the little ones are down lower together.

Yay for another vote for pullets!

Then I would not worry about them. If they aren't getting pecked and still are together, they will be fine.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have two silkies, about 9 weeks old, that we are trying to sex. I’d love some thoughts. We are new to backyard birds. Little Buff (buff) and Fluff (white) have become my favorites so please tell me I have some girls! Not sure if it makes a difference but these two have been getting bred frequently by their 9 week old polish cockerel friends.

Splash looks like a possible cockerel. The Buff I'm leaning pullet.

 

[akf93]

Splash looks like a possible cockerel. The Buff I'm leaning pullet.

If it works out that way, do you have any thoughts on keeping one cockerel to one pullet? I technically have at least 11 girls total in my flock but these littles don’t hang out with the big girls. They are kept/fed together but they choose to be separate.

Also if it works out this way and I DO have to get rid of the male, my little silkie girl would be alone since she doesn’t hang out with the bigs. any suggestions for that? I’m new to this and we are nearing the end of chick season so I’m not sure I could even get another friend for her. All the other chicks in this little group have been boys too.

 

[MysteryChicken]

If it works out that way, do you have any thoughts on keeping one cockerel to one pullet? I technically have at least 11 girls total in my flock but these littles don’t hang out with the big girls. They are kept/fed together but they choose to be separate.

Also if it works out this way and I DO have to get rid of the male, my little silkie girl would be alone since she doesn’t hang out with the bigs. any suggestions for that? I’m new to this and we are nearing the end of chick season so I’m not sure I could even get another friend for her. All the other chicks in this little group have been boys too.

I keep an odd number of males to females. So you don't really have to get rid of one male, unless trouble starts to happen.

The smaller ones will mingle with larger birds once they begin to be more confident. I've had groups of juveniles stay together until they're ready to join the elders. I see no need to separate them.

 

[akf93]

I keep an odd number of males to females. So you don't really have to get rid of one male, unless trouble starts to happen.

The smaller ones will mingle with larger birds once they begin to be more confident. I've had groups of juveniles stay together until they're ready to join the elders. I see no need to separate them.

Thank you!! We will plan to keep these two until we have issues and hopefully we just don’t! My husband will love to see this response. If you had said a hard no, I guess I would have just HAD to go get 6 more chicks (which ARE in stock. I just called. It’s still tempting. ).

 

[MysteryChicken]

Thank you!! We will plan to keep these two until we have issues and hopefully we just don’t! My husband will love to see this response. If you had said a hard no, I guess I would have just HAD to go get 6 more chicks (which ARE in stock. I just called. It’s still tempting. ).

You're welcome.

 

[akf93]

Good morning! It’s been a couple weeks. These two are about 12 weeks old now. Are we still leaning pullets?

 

[Feather queen]

yep, still look like pullets to me, for a comparison this was my silkie rooster at 8 weeks old

 

[Paz]

They look like girls, but they’re young so I’m not sure. They will get closer to the elders once they’re a bit bigger and more confident. Btw I would get rid of one of the polish guys if I were you. Polish cocks can be very aggressive, or so I heard.

 

[laylerschicks]

Hard to tell at this age but they are pretty!!