Silkie cockerels or pullets?

[ngarrett]

Hello all. Can anyone tell me if any of my silkies are cockerels or pullets? I have black, partridge, paint, and a splash. They are 12 weeks old. Thanks so much.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Are they from a hatchery or breeder?

@Overo Mare (my apologies as I know I've tagged you a lot tonight

 

[HeatherKellyB]

The only one with any comb development is the darkest one, right? They're beautiful! Silkies are so tricky! To me they look like pullets, but I haven't owned a breeder quality cockerel before, so I wouldn't take my word on it.

 

[ngarrett]

Are they from a hatchery or breeder?

@Overo Mare (my apologies as I know I've tagged you a lot tonight

They are from a breeder who just started hatching silkies. She told me the only way to know is if it crows or lays an egg but thought I’d ask everyone on this forum.

 

[ngarrett]

The only one with any comb development is the darkest one, right? They're beautiful! Silkies are so tricky! To me they look like pullets, but I haven't owned a breeder quality cockerel before, so I wouldn't take my word on it.

Yes, I only see a comb on the darkest one. Wasn’t sure if anyone can tell if it’s a cockerel or pullet based on the shape of the comb? I’m new to raising chickens and have of course picked a really hard breed to start with…haha.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

My breeder quality Silkie was just over 7 months old before she started to lay. I posted about her before she started because I was beginning to wonder. Everyone said pullet and sure enough she laid her first egg about a week later

 

[ngarrett]

My breeder quality Silkie was just over 7 months old before she started to lay. I posted about her before she started because I was beginning to wonder. Everyone said pullet and sure enough she laid her first egg about a week later

That’s wonderful! I guess I’ll just have to wait and see

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Black with leakage is a cockerel
Partridge is a pullet
Paint I suspect cockerel but I need a close up comb photo(push crest back)
Your splash looks more grey to me, suspect this one is a pullet, but again need a clear comb photo.
Beautiful birds!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Mine all started laying right around 7 and a half months, all breeder quality.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Isn't it crazy the difference in breeder stock and hatchery stock? My hatchery stock hen started laying around 21 weeks. My breeder stock hen started laying at 7 months and almost 2 weeks I believe. They look completely different too. Sex was very obvious at a young age for the hatchery birds. It's just crazy