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

[Cherie1n2]

I've posted on several silkie threads but so far I'm still getting mixed answers so I thought I'd post here and see if someone can help sex my 7 month old silkie. No crowing no eggs. The breeder said she thought pullet because her line and the male hatch mates all have well developed walnuts.

I know it has a funny crest but I see no streamers in the head or tail regions.

 

[wapsilady]

Hi! Long-time lurker on these forums...I just got into the hobby of chicken keeping about three months ago. I started out with 10 chicks, one died after about 3 days of life for unknown reasons, 5 more were killed and eaten by raccoons (I thought my coop was safe

) These are the last 4 alive and I am hoping I have at least one hen...so maybe you guys can help me? They are all 10 weeks old tomorrow. The red one is a little smaller than the other three.

#1




#2 -- This is my favorite one, very sweet. I am really hoping for a pullet! I've been calling "her" Nugget.





#3 --This one has a very sweet face

#4 I've been calling this one Alfredo -- much more skittish than the rest. I think it adds to "his?" charm.




Here is a group shot of my 4 survivors.


What do you guys think? Do I have any hens? I've become so discouraged by all the predation and have predator proofed my coop again. I have ordered some new chicks that will be arriving later this week (All bantams: Buff Brahmas, Silver Seabrights, and EE's) - and it would be nice to know how many pullets I have from my first group if any.

 

[workinnanie]

I am by no means an expert but my guesses are:

1st white =male
Buff = female
Black= male
2nd white female

Good luck!

 

[wapsilady]

Hey thanks! That's what I'm hoping for...

 

[RubyNala97]

I finally got pictures of my 9 week olds. This batch has me totally confused. Any help is greatly appreciated!
#1:

#2:

#3:

#4:

#5:

#6:

#7:

 

[YborChix]

I just thought I would share a photo of my boy Buzz. He's a lavender splash from Bobbi Porto. His comb is quite large now and a beautiful color. I will update with one of his man parts.

 

[YborChix]

A close up of their heads straight on will be easier if you can...




#buzz_and_the_chiclets

Note Buzz's V shaped crest with feathers pointing slightly back and away from his growing comb. Foxy on the right, has more of an umbrella shape to her crest and a very small comb. Although not scientific, after a while, you'll start to recognize boys being boys. Boys like to play a little rougher than the girls and do chest bumping sometimes.

 

[RubyNala97]

I just thought I would share a photo of my boy Buzz. He's a lavender splash from Bobbi Porto. His comb is quite large now and a beautiful color. I will update with one of his man parts.

He's beautiful! I have a pair that are 13 wks and I can easily tell the difference. But this bunch are growing out so slow and they really have me stumped. I'm hoping by the end of summer, I will be able to tell. I'm hoping to get rid of any boys and just keep the females. I'll keep trying. Thanks for the tips!

 

[tiffanyblitz]

Posted this in another thread, but thought I would drop in here where the experts are hanging out. ;-)

The rest of the silkies from this bunch are clearly sexed at this point (4-5 mos old). This one, though...

Comb says roo. Carriage says hen. Neither pouf nor streamers. No definite behavior (crowing, mating, whatever). What do you think our Smaug is?

Thank you!

 

[Aleee44]

Hello,

Im going to repost since i never got an answer my first time and i cannot find it now either.
Im hoping its a hen! This is Ling Ling, she has become my favorite, "she" will be 3 months next week!