Silkie sexing

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I'll post pictures tomorrow.

I don't doubt that your roosters may have longer toes, but it still doesn't have anything to do with the gender.

 

[diamondsilkies]

Both my silkie roosters have a longer 5th toe then the hen. You can see that really well in the chicks.

This is very likely a coincidence, or has something to do with the genetics of those two versus the hen. People have been trying to find out a way to sex silkies as babies for quite a long time. However, I am a little curious. I have quite a few silkies, both male and female, so I'll go check it out.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'll prove so, when the chick grows up. I just realized it today. Silkies are different then a normal chicken.

 

[MysteryChicken]

This is very likely a coincidence, or has something to do with the genetics of those two versus the hen. People have been trying to find out a way to sex silkies as babies for quite a long time. However, I am a little curious. I have quite a few silkies, both male and female, so I'll go check it out.

Okay.

 

[diamondsilkies]

Okay

If we're thinking the same toe (the top one on the inner side of the leg), then unfortunately the theory doesn't work. Two of my pullets have the same size toe as their brother, and my oldest hen has a very similar length toe to her rooster's. Too bad though, I sure could use a way to tell them apart as babies.

 

[MysteryChicken]

If we're thinking the same toe (the top one on the inner side of the leg), then unfortunately the theory doesn't work. Two of my pullets have the same size toe as their brother, and my oldest hen has a very similar length toe to her rooster's. Too bad though, I sure could use a way to tell them apart as babies.

On the back of the foot, is that what you're referring to?

 

[diamondsilkies]

On the back of the foot, is that what you're referring to?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yep, that's what I'm talking about.

 

[MysteryChicken]

For fun, have a look at my big boy. His name is SnuggleBug.

 

[diamondsilkies]

Yep, that's what I'm talking about.

Then yes, mine have all different sizes. Interesting observation, though!
Snugglebug is darling!