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

[VladikC]

How old? I'm thinking cockerel because of the way crest is swept back but I'm no expert by any stretch! Also the tail has a slight curve to it. Again, I'm no expert!!! Wait for a crow or an egg, that's how I figured out what mine was.

4 months old I was thinking roo as well but when I put baby bantams in with her/her it begin mothering them and would attack me if I tried to grab them. She/he also had that broody purring going on.

 

[sazzmii]

anybody else thinking roo I'm really praying it's a hen but will not part until I know just wondering what you all think thankyou

 

[Chknmom2014]

4 months old I was thinking roo as well but when I put baby bantams in with her/her it begin mothering them and would attack me if I tried to grab them. She/he also had that broody purring going on.

At 4 months, could very well be a hen. At 4 months mine definitely had more comb and was trying to crow. Mine is definitely a roo and has sired many babies, but still sits in the nest box with the girls while they are laying and sings the egg song with them. Please make sure you update us, I'm really curious now!!! Lol

 

[Chknmom2014]

anybody else thinking roo I'm really praying it's a hen but will not part until I know just wondering what you all think thankyou

If less than 4 months old, I'm leaning toward roo as well, comb is pronounced and developed and has that receding hairline going on! Lol! I am no expert tho, and only have one full blooded Silkie myself, so don't go by my opinion. I am a newbie myself, but it's fun to try to tell the difference from pictures, I learn to look for new things each time. Good luck, and let us know when you find out.

 

[sazzmii]

Ahhh thankyou its a mahoosive shame if this lil one is a roo havnt had a very good experience with silkie chicks had my first one sold to me with a broken leg didnt realise till i got home and checked her out she had to get pts was awfull as thought they was going to splint .so this one is my second and may turn to be a roo if soo not going to risk having a chick ill buy a hen as too heartbreaking.

 

[RubyNala97]

At what age can you start to tell them apart, male from female? I have two that are 5 weeks old. My gut is that I have one boy and one girl.

 

[sazzmii]

any idea on these I'm sure one at top and bottom is a silkie and middle one polish maybe but also wondered on sex if anybody can tell from these photos

 

[Chknmom2014]

any idea on these I'm sure one at top and bottom is a silkie and middle one polish maybe but also wondered on sex if anybody can tell from these photos

It's very hard to tell from the pictures, can't see the combs on the Silkie chicks, but the one in the middle is almost definitely Silkie cross and cockerel. I have raised a few Silkie cross from my flock and first generation mixes always have the feathered legs and five toes. If they are the same age, the mix with the feathers is a cockerel based on the size of the comb and wattles alone. Cockerel legs are thicker and feet are bigger than the pullets on the Silkie pure breeds. It's a lot harder to tell on the silkies tho, as you lose the feather cues! Please know I am a newbie myself, so don't go by just what I'm saying. I have found a lot of tips and tricks on this thread tho. Trust your gut above all else! With my chicks I'm right about 70% of the time, but there is always a chance of error, so I usually don't part with mine until I have no doubts at all, either because of behavior or looks. Hope this helps a little! Please let us know how it turns out!

 

[Chknmom2014]

Ahhh thankyou its a mahoosive shame if this lil one is a roo havnt had a very good experience with silkie chicks had my first one sold to me with a broken leg didnt realise till i got home and checked her out she had to get pts was awfull as thought they was going to splint .so this one is my second and may turn to be a roo if soo not going to risk having a chick ill buy a hen as too heartbreaking.

Ahhh thankyou its a mahoosive shame if this lil one is a roo havnt had a very good experience with silkie chicks had my first one sold to me with a broken leg didnt realise till i got home and checked her out she had to get pts was awfull as thought they was going to splint .so this one is my second and may turn to be a roo if soo not going to risk having a chick ill buy a hen as too heartbreaking.

I have had this issue with my quest for a Marans chicken! First one was a roo, second one was taken by a hawk in broad daylight, only found a pile of feathers, and last one was a roo! I give up!!! Not meant to have a Marans, I guess! I wish you better luck than I have had! My Silkie roo is the greatest, tho!

 

[AlwaysForever]

golden silkie I am thinking both of mine are roos. This one has blue cheeks

she is getting a pale mane and has a bulbus nose with blue