Silkie thread!

[MuscovyMadness]

The first one looks like it has a vaulted skull but they can both end up with large crests, depending on breeding, of course.

Ok, ty. Thats what I figured.....I'm assuming its just a trair that pops up.....is this something thst can be "bred out"?

 

[aliren]

At what age can you tell the sex of a silky, I'm getting my first 2 silkies on Saturday, their 6 weeks old and she thinks there hens.

 

[MuscovyMadness]

At what age can you tell the sex of a silky, I'm getting my first 2 silkies on Saturday, their 6 weeks old and she thinks there hens.

As I understand. ..Silkies are near impossible to sex as chicks. They're mostly sold straight run for this reason. I'm playing the "waiting to see who crows" game with mine. LoL
Looks like a pullet to me......seems more "feminine"..... but I was told when the crest starts to fall back; could be a cockerel. .......I don't have the experience behind me yet.

Beautiful chick though!

 

[kellyloveschad]

thank you!!

 

[darkbluespace]

Ok, ty. Thats what I figured.....I'm assuming its just a trair that pops up.....is this something thst can be "bred out"?

The vaulted skull was purposely bred in.

 

[MuscovyMadness]

The vaulted skull was purposely bred in.

Ahhhh yes, I did read that....came from Polish to improve crest size. I also read they can be extremely delicate and if they get pecked on the head or bump their head that they could die. That's why I wondered if the vaulted skull was a super necessary trait to breed. Still new and learning.

 

[Sylvester017]

Ahhhh yes, I did read that....came from Polish to improve crest size. I also read they can be extremely delicate and if they get pecked on the head or bump their head that they could die. That's why I wondered if the vaulted skull was a super necessary trait to breed. Still new and learning.

You'd be lucky to have a vaulted skull injury die. The ones left with paralysis but still alive are the ones that will be heartbreaking to cull. I have not seen a significant difference in crest fullness between extreme vaulted and/or normal skulled Silkies. If it means less chance for permanent injury or death I prefer the flatter skulled birds.

 

[darkbluespace]

Ahhhh yes, I did read that....came from Polish to improve crest size. I also read they can be extremely delicate and if they get pecked on the head or bump their head that they could die. That's why I wondered if the vaulted skull was a super necessary trait to breed. Still new and learning.

You'd be lucky to have a vaulted skull injury die.  The ones left with paralysis but still alive are the ones that will be heartbreaking to cull.  I have not seen a significant difference in crest fullness between extreme vaulted and/or normal skulled Silkies.  If it means less chance for permanent injury or death I prefer the flatter skulled birds.

Yikes! I fortunately have not had any issues with my vaulted skull silkies being injured, but it does seem like they can have a harder time hatching. That big skull can make it so they can barely move their head in the egg!

 

[MuscovyMadness]

You'd be lucky to have a vaulted skull injury die.  The ones left with paralysis but still alive are the ones that will be heartbreaking to cull.  I have not seen a significant difference in crest fullness between extreme vaulted and/or normal skulled Silkies.  If it means less chance for permanent injury or death I prefer the flatter skulled birds.

And that's exactly what I was curious about.

 

[generaldsherman]

Look at my cutie! Loving my first two silkies; they get cuter as they get bigger. When can I guess at a gender? It's about two months old.

(my nephew is holding it for the pic)