Silkie Male or Female?

[drumstick diva]

Does this bird come from hatchery stock? I think pullet but the crest has me wondering -

 

[moali99]

I have an egg laying silkie that has head feathers like that. They got a little fluffier after laying, but it's stayed relatively the same. :/ 

That's leaving me hope then, does yours also have a comb like that or smaller?

 

[moali99]

Does this bird come from hatchery stock?    I think pullet  but the crest has me wondering -

No actually, I bought 6 silkie eggs from eBay and hatched her under my broody. 2 were fertile but it was only her that managed to survive.

 

[nchls school]

At five months she is almost old enough to lay eggs. I believe, if a rooster, there would be little doubt by now. While the crest doesn't look right, everything else is hen. I assume there is no crowing. My silkie roosters were well developed by five months.

 

[moali99]

At five months she is almost old enough to lay eggs. I believe, if a rooster, there would be little doubt by now.  While the crest doesn't look right, everything else is hen.  I assume there is no crowing.  My silkie roosters were well developed by five months.

Thats some useful info, thanks. It hasn't crowed or laid an egg. But just what signs other than the crest are there that may prove that its a hen?

 

[nchls school]

This is a picture taken from an old BYC post of a four month old silkie rooster that was for sale. If you compare this bird with yours…quite a difference.



Posted by "dozen chickens" in 2008

 

[moali99]

This is a picture taken from an old BYC post of a four month old silkie rooster that was for sale. If you compare this bird with yours…quite a difference. Posted by "dozen chickens" in 2008

Haha they do look different, now that convinces me. Thanks alot

 

[nchls school]

This is a picture of two of my silkie hens, Snow and Mocha. Note the crest on Mocha.

 

[moali99]

This is a picture of two of my silkie hens, Snow and Mocha. Note the crest on Mocha.

They look great! And yes this is what worries me about mine. A males crest but a females body...

 

[nchls school]

They look great! And yes this is what worries me about mine. A males crest but a females body...

Crests vary in size and shape. Mocha's crest is different, but a hen she is.