Silkie hen or rooster?

[Chicks n Pipes]

I know silkies are hard but I am not experienced with silkies. They are all the same age give or take a few days. Number two has enough of a tail and is twice the size of the others so I think roo. The other two I hope are hens but have no evidence.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

SO how old are they? Based on what I am seeing 1 and 3 are likely pullets and 2 is a cockerel. These are slightly educated guesses (I have silkies, too) but silkies are notoriously difficult to sex. They look around 6-8 weeks of age.

 

[Chicks n Pipes]

SO how old are they? Based on what I am seeing 1 and 3 are likely pullets and 2 is a cockerel. These are slightly educated guesses (I have silkies, too) but silkies are notoriously difficult to sex. They look around 6-8 weeks of age.

13 to 15 weeks. I bought them from a breeder as chicks. I was told they were a few weeks old so not 100 percent sure. I got them exactly 11 weeks ago today.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Yes, silkies are tricky. I do not see any obvious combs yet. Roos will start to develop streamers from their crest and tend to have more swept back crests, where pullets will have more rounder crests. I will tag @SoftSilkie and @LynnaePB to see if they can help!

 

[Chicks n Pipes]

Yes, silkies are tricky. I do not see any obvious combs yet. Roos will start to develop streamers from their crest and tend to have more swept back crests, where pullets will have more rounder crests. I will tag @SoftSilkie and @LynnaePB to see if they can help!

Thanks!

 

[PioneerChicks]

#1 is a girl. Round, puffy crest and very small comb.

#2 looks like a boy. I can't see the comb, but I can see streamers (on the back of his neck).

#3 is tough. I can't see his or her comb very well. I'm guessing girl but can't tell for sure.

I love the way you numbered your photos! It really helps me!

 

[Chicks n Pipes]

#1 is a girl. Round, puffy crest and very small comb.

#2 looks like a boy. I can't see the comb, but I can see streamers (on the back of his neck).

#3 is tough. I can't see his or her comb very well. I'm guessing girl but can't tell for sure.

I love the way you numbered your photos! It really helps me!

Thank you! I will get a comb picture of 3 in the morning.

 

[LynnaePB]

I'm in agreement with jmns and SoftSilkie

#1 looks very much like a pullet (nice round crest, no signs of streamers)

#2 definitely looks like a cockerel to me (I can see streamers and the way his tail is coming in as compared to the other two is pointing towards him being a male as well)

#3 Also looks like a pullet (I'm not seeing streamers, I can't see the comb well but it looks small to me)

If they were mine and looking like this at their age I'd feel pretty good about having two pullets and a cockerel. I've heard of slow developing males that can fool even more experienced breeders but I think that is more the exception and not the rule.

Beautiful birds by the way!

 

[Chicks n Pipes]

Here are two more pictures of 3 if it helps. The second is the back of its crest and top of its neck.

 

[Chicks n Pipes]

Also 3 is does not have a vaulted skull. The other two do.