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

[Faraday40]

@nmr
Partridge (brown one) looks female
Splash (white & gray one)- looks female so far
Black - hard to tell. Could be male, but not sure.

This white one is an obvious boy:

 

[nmr]

@nmr
Partridge (brown one) looks female
Splash (white & gray one)- looks female so far
Black - hard to tell. Could be male, but not sure.

This white one is an obvious boy:
View attachment 2536675

Yeah that one I figured. The black I’m guessing is too. Fingers crossed the paint/splash isn’t.

 

[Thijs]

I am buying some usa silkies end of this week. they are about 5 weeks. I know it's probably hardly visible at this age so my only chance to get more hens thans roosters is to choose the shy ones who don't stand up to straight I guess?

 

[mlmanjoney]

So my 3 chicks are 12 weeks old. No big comb or wattles. only one has a really round crest. Any guesses?

 

[Faraday40]

So my 3 chicks are 12 weeks old. No big comb or wattles. only one has a really round crest. Any guesses?


View attachment 2756009View attachment 2756010View attachment 2756011View attachment 2756012

Can't see the comb area clearly, but I agree there are no obvious male signs. My females always had very narrow combs even if the crests were not fully rounded yet. Since they look bearded, I doubt you'll see any wattles - even if male.

Black silkie in back has very female looking crest already - also stands "like a girl." Others could be either, but good chance of 3 pullets. Chicks always look female..... until they don't. LOL

 

[mlmanjoney]

they did not want to cooperate with me smoothing down their poof to see combs

 

[Faraday40]

they did not want to cooperate with me smoothing down their poof to see combs

Both combs look narrow. It's never 100% until crow or egg, but they look like pullets to me.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@mlmanjoney are these adorable chicks from a hatchery or breeder? My youngest silkie was hatched from eggs I purchased from a breeder and she was 7months old+ before I was able to get an egg. I posted pictures of her right before she turned 7 months and everyone said she was a pullet. My hatchery Silkies were easily identified at a young age, by me with no experience. My hatchery pullet also started laying at 21 weeks old. My boys are both hatchery stock and one of them has the largest comb I've ever seen but he is the absolute sweetest rooster ever.

Your black (or really dark blue as my screen may be deceiving me) one with the nice full crest appears to be a pullet, so I agree with you and previous replies. The white one also appears to look like a pullet. The only one that is a tiny bit questionable to me is the lighter blue, with the small crest. Of course, like one of the more experienced has mentioned, only time will tell for sure.

I have read that hackles on a cockerel will feel more coarse but my Blue rooster has the most soft hackles I've ever felt. I don't remember if there was a difference whenever he was a young cockerel. One thing I do recall is my white rooster had a very significant mullet look to him as a young bird. I don't know if this helps at all. I do understand how you feel with wanting to know. My little Fancy Nancy kept me guessing for 7+months I love my Silkies. My white rooster is a jerk, believe it or not, but the others are the best birds. I'm excited to see your Silkies grow up! I wish you the best

 

[mlmanjoney]

These came from McMurray hatchery I believe. The smaller blue one is bonded with the white, and is so timid I have a hard time seeing her as a roo but we have bad luck k with the roo lottery lol.
They are all super soft and I have my fingers crossed because they are just the sweetest little puffballs

 

[Faraday40]

I'm leaning toward 2 females, but still not truly sure about the bigger one. (Smaller one was a "failure to thrive" chick from same hatch who has not caught up)

close ups:
Comb is narrow. Not 100% flat but looks more female than male to me.

Crest is neat and more rounded .....

....But does have slightly longer feathers in back. I don't think they're streamers, but never had a male.