I hatched some silkie eggs on June 26th that I bought from a seller on ebay. I got a good hatch rate but several of my chicks have red combs and one of the chicks with a red comb seems to have a single comb. I read that those characteristics are not standard and are undesirable, is that correct? I am not showing chickens, I just bought them to start a small flock for fun and entertainment for my family and I so it is not that big of a deal but I do have a few questions. They are 6 weeks and two days.
Since the combs on these two are already so red at such a young age does this mean that they are probably roosters or does color not matter on sex when it comes to silkies?
This is the one that seems to have the single comb, is that correct? Also, I read that silkies with single combs tend to be hens, is that true? This one is red also.
Lastly, I read that pullets usually have a round top notch, does this one look like a pullet?
![]()
They are adorable and should make perfect pets. if you decide to show them I would pick the last one since it actually looks quite good to me. I have bought hatching eggs from local breeders and have often gotten similar things like single combs, etc. I don't think they're mix-breed, they're just kindof in-between hatchery and show-stock, maybe a mix of the two. They seem to have bigger puffy heads than hatchery, and nice overall puffiness of feathers compared to hatchery, especially that last one which I really like. What a cutie!