NW Chickadee
Chirping
I've got 5 precious Silkie chicks - all exactly 3wks old, hatched at the same time. Although I've read (and read, and read, and read some more!!) on sexing these little ones and learned it's next to impossible at this age, I've also read about behaviors and physical traits, and it seems there's a DEFINTE difference between these chicks already (I've posted example photos below
). Out of my 5 Silkie chicks, 2 stand tall and are much bigger in general. The other 3 sit much lower and are smaller. The smallest of them all also seems to run to one of the 2 larger ones for refuge from another "lower sitting", but larger chick that seems to pick/"peck" on it.
Also, although I understand that both pullets & cockrels have breasts, my 2 that stand taller and are bigger (like the larger one in the photo) have much smaller, if any breasts that can be felt - Is that any indication of sex? Any Silkie experts out there wanna chime in ? The difference in size and behavior at this age is surprising to me (Also, I'm admittley very new at this!). Just curious if the difference I'm seeing is any indication of gender? Are the larger ones simply developing/growing faster? Or, Is this normal and no indication of gender? In my opinion, the last/3rd photo below shows the difference and what I'm seeing, the clearest.
(In the photo from the rear you can see that the little one had a case of "pasty butt" early on that's cleared up nicely with the help of y'all and your advice - Thank you!)
). Out of my 5 Silkie chicks, 2 stand tall and are much bigger in general. The other 3 sit much lower and are smaller. The smallest of them all also seems to run to one of the 2 larger ones for refuge from another "lower sitting", but larger chick that seems to pick/"peck" on it.Also, although I understand that both pullets & cockrels have breasts, my 2 that stand taller and are bigger (like the larger one in the photo) have much smaller, if any breasts that can be felt - Is that any indication of sex? Any Silkie experts out there wanna chime in ? The difference in size and behavior at this age is surprising to me (Also, I'm admittley very new at this!). Just curious if the difference I'm seeing is any indication of gender? Are the larger ones simply developing/growing faster? Or, Is this normal and no indication of gender? In my opinion, the last/3rd photo below shows the difference and what I'm seeing, the clearest.
(In the photo from the rear you can see that the little one had a case of "pasty butt" early on that's cleared up nicely with the help of y'all and your advice - Thank you!)
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boys are slower...
I have 13 silkie chicks and have been obsessed over gender too. Still am lol I was able to tell at 4 weeks some of the boys and 1 girl so far. But most are iffy. Watch for sudden development of combs in the coming weeks. I hope you get a boy and the rest pullets!
