Silkies- pullet or cockerel?

[JaimeP]

Okay Crew, a question for you all. What makes you say "pullet" - as in, I have five a little younger - a 10-week-old and four 8-9 weeks, all white - and I have no way of telling until I get either a good crow or an egg dropped into my hand! I'm pretty sure two of the youngest are cockerels, simply because they face-off from time to time. I need to leg-band them, so I can be sure it's the same two. Other than behavior, which I don't totally trust because my submissive "pullet" started crowing earlier this year, I have no idea what to look for in a Silkie. Can someone educate me a little? Please?

Following.....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Okay Crew, a question for you all. What makes you say "pullet" - as in, I have five a little younger - a 10-week-old and four 8-9 weeks, all white - and I have no way of telling until I get either a good crow or an egg dropped into my hand! I'm pretty sure two of the youngest are cockerels, simply because they face-off from time to time. I need to leg-band them, so I can be sure it's the same two. Other than behavior, which I don't totally trust because my submissive "pullet" started crowing earlier this year, I have no idea what to look for in a Silkie. Can someone educate me a little? Please?

Mostly the lack of comb or wattle development. Silkies are harder because combs can be late developing in silkies. Plus bearded and non bearded can be different with wattle development. Boy silkies will also develop streamers on the back of the topknot that flow down the neck.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

View attachment 1398987 View attachment 1398988 2 Silkies 11 weeks old. I still have no idea if they are going lay or crow. Any ideas?

My wife’s silkie girls . Maybe this will help

 

[MROO]

Okay - that helps. Can someone please post a pic or two of "streamers," so I know what I'm looking at/for?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Oh, "facing off" doesn't mean they're cockerels cause pullets will do it too

 

[drumstick diva]

Silkies are extremely difficult to sex before 4-5 mos. of age and sometimes not till they lay or crow.

It would be much better if you put up individual photos with your silkies facing front, crests held or pulled back to display full extent of combs.

Your birds are quite young, hatchery birds will look different than from breeding stock.
Then again beardless silkies look different from ones with beards.

 

[JaimeP]

Silkies are extremely difficult to sex before 4-5 mos. of age and sometimes not till they lay or crow.

It would be much better if you put up individual photos with your silkies facing front, crests held or pulled back to display full extent of combs.

Your birds are quite young, hatchery birds will look different than from breeding stock.
Then again beardless silkies look different from ones with beards.

Ok, thanks! I will try to add some photos today. Then you can give me your best guess

 

[JaimeP]

My wife’s silkie girls . Maybe this will helpView attachment 1399121View attachment 1399122

How old are they?

 

[MROO]

My Silkies are really too young to really tell anything, yet. I was just hoping for a few heads-up tips, so I know what to watch out for. I'm patient. As long as we know by July, when the Cecil County Fair comes along, I'll be happy!
I would still like a couple of good pics of what streamers look like, though - and maybe one of a couple of combs would help, too. This is our first time 'round with Silkies. Our "older" fellow is only about 8 mos old. The youngsters are not quite 3 mos. Holy cow, they're cute!

 

[JaimeP]

Silkies are extremely difficult to sex before 4-5 mos. of age and sometimes not till they lay or crow.

It would be much better if you put up individual photos with your silkies facing front, crests held or pulled back to display full extent of combs.

Your birds are quite young, hatchery birds will look different than from breeding stock.
Then again beardless silkies look different from ones with beards.

Do these help?