Silkie Gender Guess?

[MiphaandPip_silkies]

We just got our two very first chicks, they’re silkies, gray is looking like a sizzle! I know there’s no way of knowing gender other than dna testing or waiting it out, but I’d love some thoughts and guesses from you all! Gray is named Pip, black-gray is Mipha. They are 3 weeks old today! Thanks!!!!!

 

[Quaicken108]

As you said as well... It would be guessing and there’s no way to tell for many many chicks at this young age but especially with silkies because they’re more difficult. Hopefully you end up with what you want. A belated

 

[Chookchicken]

Way to young still. You need to wait until they are atleast 8 weeks old (10+ weeks works better, but you can always try). At this point everyone would purely be making a guess, nothing more. Also just in case you didn‘t know black is actually a silkie mix, not a full silkie. They are both very cute, so just enjoy them being genderless for now

 

[Matilda Belle]

Update pics in 2-3 months.

 

[MiphaandPip_silkies]

UPDATE! We got a genetic dna test done, results took a week, and sure enough we were right! The darker one is a boy! And the lighter one is a girl!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Sometimes personalities and posture help sexing young chicks (not always accurate but It helps you use pronouns- he or she)

 

[LadiesAndJane]

UPDATE! We got a genetic dna test done, results took a week, and sure enough we were right! The darker one is a boy! And the lighter one is a girl! View attachment 2659325View attachment 2659326

Congrats! I DNA my silkies. Worth it to take the waiting game out of the mix.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I want to dna test my silkies! How much does it cost? Where can it be done? (In the UK)

 

[MiphaandPip_silkies]

This is the lab we used, it’s located in Florida, we are in Tennessee, so we were able to download a form for $11 each bird, either blood test from lightly clipping their toenail until it bleeds, I know sounds terrible but you put a coagulant/pain medication to stop the bleeding, you can also send a plucked feather, or egg shell from freshly hatched chicks. Then you mail it in. Perhaps there’s a similar lab near you! @PippinTheChicken

https://iqbirdtesting.com/

 

[LadiesAndJane]

This is the lab we used, it’s located in Florida, we are in Tennessee, so we were able to download a form for $11 each bird, either blood test from lightly clipping their toenail until it bleeds, I know sounds terrible but you put a coagulant/pain medication to stop the bleeding, you can also send a plucked feather, or egg shell from freshly hatched chicks. Then you mail it in. Perhaps there’s a similar lab near you! @PippinTheChicken

https://iqbirdtesting.com/

I use them as well. Have done both eggshells at hatch and feathers. Have had 100% accuracy with them so far. Pretty quick turn around time, too.