Silkie Gender

[Ilovemychicks08]

They're about 5 months old... I think. I'm pretty sure the white ones are both hens and it was the grey/ blue one I heard crowing. He's also very dominant and gets cross! So I guess back to the breeder he must go

Are you able to keep roosters?

 

[SilkieCloud]

Are you able to keep roosters?

I can keep him as far as noise goes... His crowing isn't super loud or super early at present. I'm not sure the neighbours would mind that much anyway... But I can't have chicks because I don't have the resources or time for it.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

You don't have to raise chicks even if you have a rooster. Just don't hatch the eggs. Or let them sit in the coop to long.

 

[SilkieCloud]

You don't have to raise chicks even if you have a rooster. Just don't hatch the eggs. Or let them sit in the coop to long.

Ah I seeeeee. I'm guessing it would be best not to eat the eggs, either? We were planning on only having hens and I haven't researched beyond that... We are newbies to the chicken world!

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I'm pretty sure you can eat the eggs to.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

These chickens were sold as three girls... This morning, we heard a crow! We are not sure if this means one is definitely a boy, as I've heard hens can crow if they are dominant.

Here they are. Any opinions welcome! View attachment 2864430View attachment 2864429

@LadiesAndJane is great at Silkies.

I am trash at it. The blue-ish bird is looking like a cockerel though.

Age?

Thanks for the tag.
The grey one actaully looks Cuckoo, I see some barring in the neck feathers. Cuckoo in silkies is a newer color and is still considered a project color. They often have the more red combs and wattles instead of the SOP mulberry. Paints have this often as well.
It does look pure to me, though technically it is not "pure" as other breeds were used to introduce the color. This one does though look to be a cockerel.
I would keep them a bit longer if you can, unless the breeder has a time limit for returns.
You can safely eat the eggs, even if they are fertile. Most people that have roosters do.
If this beautiful bird is your favorite, then wait it out a bit if you can.

 

[thanai]

Thanks for the tag.
The grey one actaully looks Cuckoo, I see some barring in the neck feathers. Cuckoo in silkies is a newer color and is still considered a project color. They often have the more red combs and wattles instead of the SOP mulberry. Paints have this often as well.
It does look pure to me, though technically it is not "pure" as other breeds were used to introduce the color. This one does though look to be a cockerel.
I would keep them a bit longer if you can, unless the breeder has a time limit for returns.
You can safely eat the eggs, even if they are fertile. Most people that have roosters do.
If this beautiful bird is your favorite, then wait it out a bit if you can.

Ah this is very interesting! I didn't realize that this was a new colour, I should do my research haha - it's really cool that pure silkies can have red combs!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Oh, and welcome to BYC, @SilkieCloud

 

[SilkieCloud]

Thabks everyone! Lovely about the colour

 

[SilkieCloud]

We will keep the cockerel I hope As long as the neighbours don't mind too much