Sexing young Silkies

[MILOCHICKEN]

Does anyone have any tips on sexing one or two day old Silkies?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Toss a coin!

Sometimes we can do it by their behavior.

I have seen some claims it can be done by the wings at that age with MAYBE 70% accuracy. I don't buy it or try it though.

 

[Mylied]

Not possible unless you can vent sex.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Silkies are slower maturing. Most other breeds of chicks can be sexed by comb development at six weeks. But with silkies, it would be best to wait until 12 weeks, then post pics of the whole body, crest, and comb with crest pulled back. I'm sorry, I know it's along wait!! :-(

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Silkies are slower maturing. Most other breeds of chicks can be sexed by comb development at six weeks. But with silkies, it would be best to wait until 12 weeks, then post pics of the whole body, crest, and comb with crest pulled back. I'm sorry, I know it's along wait!! :-(

Not in my stock... It's usually obvious much sooner but can be confirmed by 9 weeks MOST of the time. Not just comb but waddles. And behavior. Of course 12 is safer for confirming they aren't late blooming males.

I thought people who said they couldn't tell until 7 months were just liars or inexperienced. Until recently I saw another line who has been selected for much smaller combs and waddles and even at 7 months I thought female even though it was a cockerel!

My Silkie girls also lay between 20-24 weeks just like most other breeds...

 

[Mylied]

Not in my stock... It's usually obvious much sooner but can be confirmed by 9 weeks MOST of the time. Not just comb but waddles. And behavior. Of course 12 is safer for confirming they aren't late blooming males.

I thought people who said they couldn't tell until 7 months were just liars or inexperienced. Until recently I saw another line who has been selected for much smaller combs and waddles and even at 7 months I thought female even though it was a cockerel!

My Silkie girls also lay between 20-24 weeks just like most other breeds...

I have noticed, the more show quality the silkie, the harder it is to tell. With mine, just pet quality, it's pretty easy to tell. I can tell by a month, if that. Just by looking at them, watching them, and comb/wattle development. It's harder to tell with other people's pics though. My silkies take their sweet time laying. A good 8 months usually.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Not in my stock... It's usually obvious much sooner but can be confirmed by 9 weeks MOST of the time. Not just comb but waddles. And behavior. Of course 12 is safer for confirming they aren't late blooming males.

I thought people who said they couldn't tell until 7 months were just liars or inexperienced. Until recently I saw another line who has been selected for much smaller combs and waddles and even at 7 months I thought female even though it was a cockerel!

My Silkie girls also lay between 20-24 weeks just like most other breeds...

Yes, I'm aware of that. But since I'm not personally there, Nd everything, it's just safer to do it that way. A lot of people on here say you have to wait for a crow or an egg! I don't think so. And it's depressing for new people, to have to wait so long!

 

[DownARiver12]

Would you elaborate more when you say you can tell by just watching them? I had a 3 day old chick peck my hand this morning when I reached in to change my watered. I thought that was pretty bold for 3 days old!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Would you elaborate more when you say you can tell by just watching them? I had a 3 day old chick peck my hand this morning when I reached in to change my watered. I thought that was pretty bold for 3 days old!

Sometimes it's that type of action. Or it might be how they stand or how they WATCH you. And on occasion it's the early chest bumping.

The girls rarely give up their identity early. Just the boys. And once in a while an ornery girl. Boys are often more bold approaching your hand. It's not science though.

Also gotta notice the TYPE of peck. Curiosity, what's on you finger. Or hey don't get near me I will defend myself.

 

[SpokaneChickenLover]

Hey everyone! Sorry to cut in the forum. Can anyone help me? Seems like my white silkie is becoming very questionable. "Bootsie" as my 3 year old named em seems to have a different crest than the other. (dunlap hatchery bred) Ive seen some breeds with the slicked back crest but not sure here.. Any help? (They are about 8wk old)