Sexing your Silkies (PICTURES AND TIPS - Updated July-5-12)

[Faraday40]

Hmmmm...
I was going to guess male for the 2nd one with the wattles, until you said 4 months old. The silkie could be maturing and getting ready to lay. Silkies are very tough. I also can't see the back of the crest. Does either have streamers?
Here's a link to show what I mean:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/silkie-baby-sex.825986/#post-12040949

The good news is that you shouldn't have to wait much longer. I would think if you actually have a male (& I can't say that you do), he would start crowing attempts.

 

[bethwray13]

Are these better?

 

[6EggHeads]

Hi all!

First time chick parents here, M & my wife T. We live in Austin TX and have a decent sized yard, wanted to have two chicks, ended up getting 6. Two are Silkies because I have always admired the breed (plus we have two kids, and we hear they're great).

Anyway, we got our silkies from nearby local hatchery/chicken farm, and got them last Saturday. We were told they are about a month old and we're given a Rooster return guarantee.

We do have neighbors and roosters are a no go for us. So options are to wait 3 months or so before we hear a crow and bring one, both, or none back....DNA test them....or consult the expertise of backyard chicken oracles.

We opted for the second and now the third option. I sent in the feathers for DNA analysis today in the snail mail, so we are probably looking at a week before we get the results.

Until then, anyone care to play a rousing game of "place your bets"? Winner gets jack$h!t.....with a side of chicken$h!t

Below are the pics of "Soy Sauce" black silkie and "Sushi" white silkie.

Behaviorally, we noticed that Sushi likes to peck at the other small breeds (1 week olds, and sometimes "sits" on or near them. Sushi is very outgoing and I saw her/him pecking at Soy Sauce's chest feathers today.

Soy Sauce is a little more reserved, preferring to squat off to the side away from the pack a lot. Soy Sauce keeps his/her neck tucked in close to the body lost of the time and keeps low to the ground.

Both their crests look pretty different.

So what do you think? I'll update with the results as soon as I get them next week.

Thanks in advance for your guesses.

 

[Faraday40]

6 1/2 weeks silkies
I believe chicks 1&2 may be male. They just look prettier. Chick 3 is DD's fav, so I'm hoping it's a female.

Chick 1: (Click to enlarge)


chick 2:


chick 3:




We actually have 5 silkies. It's not the best pic, but the smaller one on the right is the only one I'm pretty sure is male. His comb is very wide. Chick #2 standing on the left and #1 in back.

 

[ChickyChick82]

Any guesses on my 9 week old Silkie??

 

[eyralis]

Hi!! This is a 11 weeks old partridge Silkie; would love to hear your opinions on gender.

She’s our only Silkie chick, and my husband is so hoping she will indeed be a she!
I’ve done my best to take close-ups of comb and wattles.

Thanks heaps and heaps!!

Olivia

PS: Each of these images is a thumbnail; click on it and it’ll expand.

 

[Faraday40]

Any guesses on my 9 week old Silkie??View attachment 1393852
View attachment 1393853

It looks like a girl to me. I'm not an expert - especially with silkies - so hopefully someone with more experience can confirm its female.

 

[Faraday40]

Hi!! This is a 11 weeks old partridge Silkie; would love to hear your opinions on gender.

She’s our only Silkie chick, and my husband is so hoping she will indeed be a she!
I’ve done my best to take close-ups of comb and wattles.

Thanks heaps and heaps!!

Olivia

PS: Each of these images is a thumbnail; click on it and it’ll expand.


View attachment 1393894View attachment 1393893View attachment 1393898View attachment 1393889 View attachment 1393891 View attachment 1393892

My gut is saying male on that one. The comb is raised & has color. There's also some "rooster red" color on the wings.

 

[valegal74]

New silkie owner here! This one is a little over 3 months old, and of course we have no idea if it’s a hen or roo. The crest seems to imply hen, but I don’t know if the feathers at the back are streamers, or just a result of fluffing out.

 

[SilkiesRcool]

Hello everyone I have a couple questions. I have bought some high quality silkies so they all have amazing crest. I’ve heard at least one crow so I know at least ones a male. They are all the same age at about 3 months. 1) can you tell gender based off weight or sound? I have two that are a lot lighter then the rest of the birds and I’m wondering if they are females.2) I also have some that their clucks sound different then the other birds? Can you tell by that. My birds also have fowl pox right now so that’s what the thing on his beak is. I’m using iodine for the scabs and am using medicated feed. Thank you. I think the picture I put up is a male but I’m not positive.