Silkie gender? 13 weeks and three days

[SilkieTime]

The light one I am sure is a girl. The dark one I'm thinking girl most of the time today I'm not sure. What do you think?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

They should both lay lots of eggs for you wehn they are old enough, and not broodying.

 

[sarjaysar]

I think they are pullets, are their tails nice and rounded?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
Roosters can have rounded tails too. It's more desirable than hard feathers. But I do agree that they are pullets.

 

[tamsflock]

Look like little pullets to me. Can't see any streamers like I am seeing in 6 of mine.. Yuck 5 cockerals.
So would they be considered a light and dark partridge? I have read on here that there is light and dark in the partridge and grey.

 

[ChooksChick]

What can you tell from a Silkie comb? If it has a raised comb at 6 weeks, isn't it more than likely a roo? I'm trying to figure mine out, and I see many posts like this where folks are trying to tell by shape and feather shape, but is the size of the comb a giveaway at any given time?

 

[chseeads]

From my limited silkie experience, the comb IS the best indicator.... The males' get bumpy and start to redden....but the females' stay dark and don't develop.

 

[AHappychick]

both girls I think

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
On a good quality silkie the combs should never redden. With some colours that is often more of an unrealized goal all too often, however.

No silkie comb should get bumpy. It depends on the rose comb modifier genes, and has no bearing on male versus female. Silkie comb size can be a gender indicator, but that is strictly based upon size, and since many silkie males are bred for very small combs, that is often not a reliable indicator. FWIW, I have had a couple of hens with largish combs, comparable in size to a small comb on a male. That does not mean that comb is completely negligible, but that it is only one of several indicators of gender.

Streamers are usually the best gender indicator, although build & carriage of body and tail also carry weight.

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Quote:
On a good quality silkie the combs should never redden. With some colours that is often more of an unrealized goal all too often, however.

No silkie comb should get bumpy. It depends on the rose comb modifier genes, and has no bearing on male versus female. Silkie comb size can be a gender indicator, but that is strictly based upon size, and since many silkie males are bred for very small combs, that is often not a reliable indicator. FWIW, I have had a couple of hens with largish combs, comparable in size to a small comb on a male. That does not mean that comb is completely negligible, but that it is only one of several indicators of gender.

Streamers are usually the best gender indicator, although build & carriage of body and tail also carry weight.

What she said

I have a 6 month old IT right now. I really think it may end up being a hen feathered roo! I had HER entered in a show and by the time the NPIP tester came and asked my to verify the sex...well I am thinking more boy

He/she has the puff ball head but....something isn't quite right...again

I didn't take IT to the show for fear that my pullet would CROW. I am now waiting on either a crow or an egg.