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

[Faraday40]

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!!

Can you hold the bird & get a detailed close up of the comb?

Here are some examples of males:

This one had a wide bumpy comb

This one had a touch of mulberry red at an early age.

 

[RayrayB]

Can you hold the bird & get a detailed close up of the comb?

Here are some examples of males:

This one had a wide bumpy combView attachment 1801663



This one had a touch of mulberry red at an early age.
View attachment 1801664

Sure! The black one does have a wider comb, which makes me sad because he/she is the sweetest little chicken..

 

[Faraday40]

Sure! The black one does have a wider comb, which makes me sad because he/she is the sweetest little chicken..

Neither one has any cockerel signs yet. You still could have 2 females. Basically they all look like females... until they don't. If the combs get wider, or get red, or get "bumpy" then it could be male. So far they have girlish combs. Let's hope they stay that way.

Here were my female silkies' combs at 6 weeks:
This splash one we thought could be male b/c the comb was not completely flat. "Xander" turned out female & renamed Xansie.

and a full body shot so you can see the size.

 

[RayrayB]

Neither one has any cockerel signs yet. You still could have 2 females. Basically they all look like females... until they don't. If the combs get wider, or get red, or get "bumpy" then it could be male. So far they have girlish combs. Let's hope they stay that way.

Here were my female silkies' combs at 6 weeks:
This splash one we thought could be male b/c the comb was not completely flat. "Xander" turned out female & renamed Xansie.
View attachment 1802558 View attachment 1802559
View attachment 1802564

and a full body shot so you can see the size.
View attachment 1802563

oh yay!!! that gives me some hope!!! thanks so much!

 

[NancyD84]

I got 8 silkies and I'm hoping to have gotten mostly hens.. Haha don't we all! Al though I read that the roosters are so sweet and loving. I wish my city would let us have them. That will have to be a must have for the next house! Rooster friendly. First time with my own flock and I already love them all and get bummed out just think about rehoming the roos. Here are a few random pictures if anyone wants to take a guess to hen or roo?? I read all the information of how to determine hens from roos buy even after I think I have a good idea, I go look at my babies and then I'm still left wondering what they may be. Hahaha Silkies I tell ya! Also, one of my silkies has the 5 toes but some toes aren't gray/black. Is that normal? Also! The guy had a polish rooster and another kind. All my chicks have 5 black toes but I still wonder if they're mixed. If anyone has an idea.

 

[NancyD84]

Tried to take pictures of them on their own.. Maybe these are better?

 

[ChickStavie]

This white one is abit to aggressive to the flock i integrated it with so now its seperate

 

[tamdeva]

red comb = male

 

[Mriley0902]

Neither one has any cockerel signs yet. You still could have 2 females. Basically they all look like females... until they don't. If the combs get wider, or get red, or get "bumpy" then it could be male. So far they have girlish combs. Let's hope they stay that way.

Here were my female silkies' combs at 6 weeks:
This splash one we thought could be male b/c the comb was not completely flat. "Xander" turned out female & renamed Xansie.
View attachment 1802558 View attachment 1802559
View attachment 1802564

and a full body shot so you can see the size.
View attachment 1802563

I just got this little silkie. 4-5 weeks old. Can you guess what it may be from gear pics??

 

[Faraday40]

I just got this little silkie. 4-5 weeks old. Can you guess what it may be from gear pics??

Technically its a little too young to tell, but there's a tiny bit of pinkish color in the comb. (2nd pic) This could be an early sign of male. Male is my "guess" but I could be easily be wrong.