Silkie chicks, how early can you tell gender?

[gway2008]

I have 6 Silkie chicks that are a week old now, just wondering when you can tell the gender? I have 3 with prominent topknots and 3 without. Does the topknot have anything to do with the gender? These are my first Silkie chicks so I have no clue.

I'll post a pic of them here in just a little while if it will help.

 

[canada-goose]

I don't think ANYONE can tell at one week old but you can post pictures anyway.

 

[gway2008]

lol, well that is what I was afraid of but I am planning to get rid of at least 4 of these little ones and I would like to keep 2 females. How old do they have to be to tell what sex they are? I really do not need anymore roosters, lol.. I have 2 roosters of different breeds already.

 

[quenston]

Heck I have trouble sexing them at a month to 6months old lol wish I were more help!!!

 

[stephys_fluffybutts]

I can guess around 1 month.

No both genders can have the topknots. So in any way that won't help you.
a week is way to early to tell and with any other banty breed.

The boy chicks grow faster then the girls. The boys have bigger feet.
Thats the best I can go till they feather out.

Quote:

 

[silkiechick05]

stephys_fluffybutts

PLEASE GO HERE!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3159212#p3159212

ETA: Enchanted Sunrise Farms

YOU TOO!!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i think you should be able to tell the roos by 9-11 weeks. Sometimes you can tell by their temperament earlier. Or if you line them up and look at their legs and feet, the males will have larger legs. If i were you, i would wait to choose your keepers until you can tell for sure. You don't want to guess wrong and end up with all roos.

We would love to see pictures, though!

 

[suburbanminifarm]

I guess using these methods on very young silkies (like 3 week olds):
1. Heavier beaks than it's siblings= male
2. chest bumps and stares down it's siblings with neck outstretched more often= male
3. a taller stance, as opposed to being built more horizontally than siblings= male
4. first toe longer than the 3rdtoe when pushed together (ok this one may be an old wives tale but I still use it in combination with the others)
Luck!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

With mine I can guess at around 1 month, and know for sure at about 2 months old.

 

[cheepsforkeeps]

One of mine is has more of a bump on top of it's beak... it's around 14 weeks old. It's our favorite silkie and we are sure hoping it's not a roo. I don't see anyone mention a bump for male, do females get them too?