Silkie Roo or Pullet?

[Reurra]

I dont know how old Trouble is, but Im going to guess 8-10 weeks. Im suspecting that he is a he because he always chest thumps my little roo Buster. That and his tail isnt round and puffy, its more virticle and has stringy feathers. I know silkies can be tough, but any guesses would be great!

 

[teach1rusl]

Absolutely no guesses...lol. Appears to be a hatchery quality (pet quality) silkie...other than that I don't have a clue...lol. He/she's cute - reminds me of my blue silkie Tinkerbell. She was (still is) as assertive and demanding as all get out when she was little, so don't let that be your main guide as to whether he/she's male or not. If you have other silkies to compare her/him to, see if the legs look thicker...and see if you begin noticing any draping type feathers through the saddle area or tail...especially if they've got irredescense to them...

 

[aoxa]

Boy.

He has a male crest and a male beak.

I don't think it is old enough to determine what kind of quality it is. It's better then a lot of hatchery silkies I've seen, but he still has a lot of filling out to do.

I would say he is right around the 8-10 week mark as you guessed. Looks similar to my boys that age.

 

[Reurra]

He is definitely a cutie, but he does not like people at all. He always runs away and fights when i pick him up. He wont sit still for anything lol. He doesnt crow, but Buster does. Im curious to see how it pans out.

How can you tell a roo beak from a hen beak??

 

[aoxa]

He is definitely a cutie, but he does not like people at all. He always runs away and fights when i pick him up. He wont sit still for anything lol. He doesnt crow, but Buster does. Im curious to see how it pans out. How can you tell a roo beak from a hen beak??

Glad you asked. Just found this out myself, and it does ring true. My boys do have a boy shaped beak, and my girls have a girl shaped beak.

Here is an example of my own:

Boy

Girl Notice how the boy has more of a sharp decline and the girl has a very rounded beak?

 

[Reurra]

I see, it does look longer and more tapered than the girl. I picked up another silkie today, and i think she is a girl. She has almost no comb to speak of, her beak is blunted compared to Troubles.

Funny thing is, when I introduced her to trouble (they come from the same breeder) He started doing the hen squat, but after that he started chasing her around and charging her. Whats with the hen squat at this age? And if its a boy, was it more of a dry mount like dogs do when they smell a female dog in heat?

 

[aoxa]

I see, it does look longer and more tapered than the girl. I picked up another silkie today, and i think she is a girl. She has almost no comb to speak of, her beak is blunted compared to Troubles. Funny thing is, when I introduced her to trouble (they come from the same breeder) He started doing the hen squat, but after that he started chasing her around and charging her. Whats with the hen squat at this age? And if its a boy, was it more of a dry mount like dogs do when they smell a female dog in heat?

I have only noticed other breeds squat if I were to go pick them up at an early age. Never a silkie, but it all depends on the squat itself. Sometimes if you scare a boy they will cower and it may look like a squat (I have a sizzle like that). He hides under anything he can to get away from a bully. Girls will have rounder crests in my experience. The boys tend to slick back a bit.

Cockerel

Pullet But I find it easier when you can compare two.. It's easier

 

[Reurra]

Well Trouble didnt squat in fear because I wasnt standing in there, I was about 2 feet away outside the enclosure. He was looking really confused while looking at the new silkie he was looking at her back and forth, swinging his head from side to side whith his chest down. Then he squatted down wings up and tail down and rocked on his legs, just like my hens do. So I dont know what that was all about lol.

Anyhow, your little pullet in that last picture looks just like my new silkie. i need to get a name for her now lol. Im pretty sure she is a girl since she has no comb at all, her face and head are totally different and her beak is much shorter. So Im guessing a girl, so now I ahve a black boy and a white girl!

 

[aoxa]

Well Trouble didnt squat in fear because I wasnt standing in there, I was about 2 feet away outside the enclosure.  He was looking really confused while looking at the new silkie he was looking at her back and forth, swinging his head from side to side whith his chest down.  Then he squatted down wings up and tail down and rocked on his legs, just like my hens do.  So I dont know what that was all about lol.  

Anyhow, your little pullet in that last picture looks just like my new silkie.  i need to get a name for her now lol.  Im pretty sure she is a girl since she has no comb at all, her face and head are totally different and her beak is much shorter.  So Im guessing a girl, so now I ahve a black boy and a white girl!  

Maybe he just liked her THAT much haha

Something about the whites is just angelic. I love seeing them in the sea of blues I have. They were surprise babies. Never expected whites!

I've named my girl Gretta, and she is super sweet. I just love silkies!

Oh and how awesome! You are from Nova Scotia!!! Just came back from Halifax yesterday!