Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[AZChiknGoddess]

Thanks as of now I am sure I have 3 cocktails. Do you know if they are like most of the bigger types of cocktails as far as fighting each other. They are real friendly and get along well now but I don't know if that will change as they get older.

I have never actually seen cocktails fight....

 

[AZChiknGoddess]

I am new to raising silkies and I think they are some of the best I have for pets, but I am really having trouble distinguishing between the male and female. I have 7 that are 6 months and one has started crowing but it is hard to figure out which one it is. I have added 2 head shots and I would appreciate any help trying to future this out because I believe I have too many cockerels.

If you look at the crest on the top bird you can see hers is rounded while the cockrel kind of looks like he borrowed Don King's look. Cockrels always get that look until their fully adult feathers come in.

 

[Roxannemc]

This cockrel is 6 months from Karen's Cat Dance eggs SOO PLEASED.Pa is still pretty far but closer.Thanks

 

[AZChiknGoddess]

This cockrel is 6 months from Karen's Cat Dance eggs SOO PLEASED.Pa is still pretty far but closer.Thanks

He is very nice. If you need a home for him I might be interested. Lol

 

[nayeli]

I am new to raising silkies and I think they are some of the best I have for pets, but I am really having trouble distinguishing between the male and female. I have 7 that are 6 months and one has started crowing but it is hard to figure out which one it is. I have added 2 head shots and I would appreciate any help trying to future this out because I believe I have too many cockerels.

It is easy when you know what to look for... You see that huge hump above the beak. That signifies males in silkies!

 

[AZChiknGoddess]

It is easy when you know what to look for... You see that huge hump above the beak. That signifies males in silkies!

What age do the combs start to get bigger? I have a couple I think are cockrels but the have NO combs. They look like girls with just a flat area that comes to a short point. But when you pick them up they are lean and squawk and struggle. I just put them in a pen with some older chicks and they immediately wanted to fight with the bigger cockrel. But they were the "bigs" before I moved them and were used to pushing everyone around.

 

[nayeli]

What age do the combs start to get bigger? I have a couple I think are cockrels but the have NO combs. They look like girls with just a flat area that comes to a short point. But when you pick them up they are lean and squawk and struggle. I just put them in a pen with some older chicks and they immediately wanted to fight with the bigger cockrel. But they were the "bigs" before I moved them and were used to pushing everyone around.

I think mine happened around the 5 month mark... but my boys were crowing at 3-4 months.

 

[AZChiknGoddess]

I think mine happened around the 5 month mark... but my boys were crowing at 3-4 months.

Well none of these guys are crowing. But I know for sure the Showgirl is a cockrel and he is about 3-4 months. The smaller ones are about 8-10 weeks.

 

[fancychick1]

I didn't actually mean to say cocktails my spell check must have changed it on me.
Thank you for all the info I'm trying to learn all I can about these little guys.

 

[AZChiknGoddess]

I didn't actually mean to say cocktails my spell check must have changed it on me.
Thank you for all the info I'm trying to learn all I can about these little guys.

I know you didn't I just thought it was giggle worthy. Nothing like spell check to make you look like a hillbilly.