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

[KellyReed]

 

[Faraday40]

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Silkies can change a lot as they mature, but I can give a guess. Right now, she looks girl-ish to me. (The comb is not very large & the crest looks like a round puff. Also, the color is uniform like a female; males can get darker shoulders & such.)

 

[KellyReed]

These are some better pictures. I’m hoping for a hen since I have 1 roo. They are 16 weeks.

 

[Export_Pilot]

Our Silki Unknown.. About 6-7 Weeks Old. It is a Loner skidish but friendly!! I think wife is attached but dont want no roo's

 

[Faraday40]

These are some better pictures. I’m hoping for a hen since I have 1 roo. They are 16 weeks.

I haven't been on this thread for a while. What did yours end up being? All of my silkies had beards, so none had wattles. The wattles are they only thing that looks male.

Of course by now, he's either crowing or she's laying. So which is it?

 

[Faraday40]

Our Silki Unknown.. About 6-7 Weeks Old. It is a Loner skidish but friendly!! I think wife is attached but dont want no roo's

It's hard not to fall in love with a silkie.

Most silkies need to be over 10 wks to sex and some far longer, and yours is too young to guess with accuracy. The way the white silkie is standing (more vertical) could be a hint at male-ness or it could just be nervously looking around. Females tend to look more hoiz when they stand/walk. Females also have a very rounded head poof while the males get "streamers" (I think these changes start around 10/12 weeks of age).

The comb looks more like a single then the normal walnut silkie comb. It's likely the bird is mixed with some other breed(s).

For now just enjoy him/her and watch for any changes. So many of these things can not be seen in photos but rather easy in person.

 

[Export_Pilot]

it is so Nice.. loves the wife... runs to her but avoids all other chicks rather relaxed and will approach and lay down let you pit it up.

But getting Older Fast..

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

i have 2 silkies, one i got as a 1day old chick from rural king, it was a straight run, which is now 8 weeks..today i aquired a silkie, not sure the age or the sex, maybe you can help me..... it also had lavendar ear lopes, and makes sounds like it has a fur ball in its throat
the first set is the one i got today....the second set of pics is the one i have that is 8 weeks

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

2nd set of pics this was at 6 weeks

 

[RayrayB]

Anyone want to take a stab at these two cuties? They are just about 2 months old. I know it's too early to know, but I'm dying to know!!