Silkie thread!

[fluffyfeathers]

Hard to tell but pic 1 and 3 look like girls to me. Maybe the porcelain too. But that is just my guess. Silkies are very difficult to sex until they are older. If you get a picture of their faces, close up so we can see the comb, and a side shot of how they stand naturally, then some people can give you a good guess 

Is there anyway I can tell their sex, or are they still too young.  Sorry, first time Silkie owner and I don't really know what to look for.  I do have a few people here local that are really interested in them, I just don't want to give away my pullets, since I can't have Roos, and I'm planning on keeping 2.    Thanks

 

[PaintedFeathers]

How does everyone keep their silkies clean when it rains?

You don't but you can bathe them if you find they are too dirty. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/752452/grooming-silkies-for-show

 

[sillycmoy]

Hard to tell but pic 1 and 3 look like girls to me. Maybe the porcelain too. But that is just my guess. Silkies are very difficult to sex until they are older. If you get a picture of their faces, close up so we can see the comb, and a side shot of how they stand naturally, then some people can give you a good guess

The Cream one and the black/blue one has very flat combs. The Blue Splash and then the other one with tons of copper both have a small bump on their comb, this has been there since they were about 4 weeks old. No one has wattles yet. I'm really wanting to keep #1 & #4, the blue and the Porcelain, but someone here in Utah wants the Porcelain, they think its a Lavender Splash, but I never heard that before, is that even a color. I really would like to just keep them all, I might try if there are no Roos.

 

[fluffyfeathers]

The blue with red and the grey with red both look like boys. None of your birds should develop wattles because they are all bearded birds. The bump on the comb could be an indicator but there are always some birds that break the rules Generally the boys are the sweethearts that are friendly and outgoing The girls tend to hang back, more reserved personality wise
Some people keep their roos in a garage at night till its later in the morning so they don't disturb the neighbors...just a thought for if you end up with a boy. Are the people who are interested in buying them ok with having roosters? Maybe they will buy them still once you are sure they are boys?
I've never heard of lavender splash? If it is a real color, it is not a color that Silkies are recognized in. Maybe in another breed?

The Cream one and the black/blue one has very flat combs.  The Blue Splash and then the other one with tons of copper both have a small bump on their comb, this has been there since they were about 4 weeks old. No one has wattles yet.  I'm really wanting to keep #1 & #4, the blue and the Porcelain, but someone here in Utah wants the Porcelain, they think its a Lavender Splash, but I never heard that before, is that even a color.  I really would like to just keep them all, I might try if there are no Roos. 

 

[CookFarms]

You don't

but you can bathe them if you find they are too dirty. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/752452/grooming-silkies-for-show

Ok, Thanks. Very helpful. Do you give your silkies a bath just before a show or do you do it when they get dirty

 

[sillycmoy]

I was thinking that the both with the copper feathers are Roos since 4 weeks. They square off all the time too. Yes, they are both more friendly. The white one is the shyiest of the bunch. I was thinking of keeping the black/blue one an the White one since I'm pretty sure they are girls. The other 2 I love there colors, but I might try and keep one Roo. I do have a home for the blue splash if he is a Roo, they want a Blue Splash Roo so that is good.

As for their colors, I just thought there was black, white and buff colors in Silkies cause that is all I've ever seen. I did learn about Blue Splashes when I got them, since the Roo was a Blue Splash, and mom was white. But these colors just are awesome.

 

[peepblessed]

I was thinking that the both with the copper feathers are Roos since 4 weeks. They square off all the time too. Yes, they are both more friendly. The white one is the shyiest of the bunch. I was thinking of keeping the black/blue one an the White one since I'm pretty sure they are girls. The other 2 I love there colors, but I might try and keep one Roo. I do have a home for the blue splash if he is a Roo, they want a Blue Splash Roo so that is good.

As for their colors, I just thought there was black, white and buff colors in Silkies cause that is all I've ever seen. I did learn about Blue Splashes when I got them, since the Roo was a Blue Splash, and mom was white. But these colors just are awesome.

Porcelain is a very popular project color usually shown as self-blue cream in the AOV catagory. Your "blue-splash" maybe blue (my guess) or a dark splash but "blue splash" is not a correct term. They are very nice chicks. I agree that the ones with red are cockerels.

 

[sillycmoy]

Thanks for all your help. I really love those fuzzy butts. Plus they have unique colors that I've never seen.

 

[Laci7210]

yes silkies have 5 toes. It's a silkie trait and if they are lacking any it is I believe a disqualification. That paint is SO cute!

Ooh so are a paint and a splash the same thing? I got her and they said she was a splash and I knew she was different than a plain old solid silkie! (of course lol)

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote:
No, Paint and Splash are genetically two different things, although they can look the same (sort of). The way to tell the difference is when they are little chicks, the Splash will look light gray - a Paint will be white or yellow and have the black spots and those spots will not move. If they told you your bird is a Splash, then it is probably a Splash, no matter what it looks like now.

If you cross a Splash with a Black you will get Blue. If you cross a Paint with a Black you will get Paint.

The Splash carries two copies of a gene called Blue. One copy makes a Black bird Blue.

The Paint carries a gene called Dominant White, it can carry one or two copies, and that white covers up almost all colors with white - with a few black feathers here and there. Paint is a "new" color - and it took awhile to make it. So they are still being "worked on".