Silkies - Pullets or Cockerels?

[OvertheHenHouse]

I swore I wasn't going to do this

but I have to ask: 16-week-old pullets or cockerels? It was so easy to tell on my others and I know silkies take longer. Anyone have any votes one way or the other? FWIW I'm thinking pullets since we're at the 16-week mark but am looking to the experts to let me know for sure

This is Sparkle, my avatar, this morning:

And this is Truffle, also this morning:

I love the way my cockerel looks as though he's yelling at Truffle...
Any thoughts / votes would be appreciated. Thanks -

 

[Elite Silkies]

I'm guessing a cockerel on the splash, and not real sure on Truffle. But, it does have that swept back look in the crest area.

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Quote:
Wow - I had friends who's silkies were clearly cockerel within about 9-10 weeks. I have to say, though, that the splash has a tendency to act a bit cockerel...and it's bigger than Truffle...

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Hit 'Submit' too quickly - saw you're from Oklahoma and wanted to see how you did in the earthquake. Also wanted to say Thanks -

 

[aoxa]

I would say they are both cockerel.. They have such little poofs.. They also have such long legs for pullets

I just got this pullet on Tuesday. I thought she was obviously a pullet. Large poof, low to the ground, no streamers coming out of her crest, etc. She is around the same age as your boys.

My rooster, Steve. You can see the streamers in his crest, and his hackle feathers make it look like he has a mullet. Those hackle feathers are not nearly as soft as a hen's. It's hard to tell if they are pointy or not on silkies.

You can see how his crest is swept back in this picture. Classic roo

I am almost 100% sure yours are boys

I hope you can keep them.. My silkie roo is so sweet.

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Quote:
He's also quite fluffy, as I saw on another thread

and gorgeous, as is your new pullet.
I see the similarities with the boy and differences with your girl - thank you so much for posting the pics! These silkies are pretty stand-offish too, just like my for-sure cockerel. I've been around silkie pullets / hens that are much friendlier than these guys. And when I brought their cage into their coop and opened the door for the first time, Truffle was the first one out and announced the all-clear - my for-sure cockerel hid in the back behind the girls

.
They're the only silkies I have in my group of 13 at the moment so that would make 3 roosters (better than 2, though!). I'll let things percolate for a while - I'd like to keep them because they're both really pretty and I love silkies. And I still have some brahmas that might surprise me as well - I got them all as chicks pretty much at the same time so we'll see what happens. Thanks again -
Amy

 

[PoultryQueen29]

Not sure on Sparkle, maybe cockeral, but I am almost positive Truffles is a hatchery quality pullet. The hatchery near my house has pullets that look EXACTLY like that. My black pullet also looked like that

 

[aoxa]

Quote:
He's also quite fluffy, as I saw on another thread

and gorgeous, as is your new pullet.
I see the similarities with the boy and differences with your girl - thank you so much for posting the pics! These silkies are pretty stand-offish too, just like my for-sure cockerel. I've been around silkie pullets / hens that are much friendlier than these guys. And when I brought their cage into their coop and opened the door for the first time, Truffle was the first one out and announced the all-clear - my for-sure cockerel hid in the back behind the girls

.
They're the only silkies I have in my group of 13 at the moment so that would make 3 roosters (better than 2, though!). I'll let things percolate for a while - I'd like to keep them because they're both really pretty and I love silkies. And I still have some brahmas that might surprise me as well - I got them all as chicks pretty much at the same time so we'll see what happens. Thanks again -
Amy

Glad my pictures helped

I actually told the breeder I got them from about the streamers being indicators of boys, he didn't even know! Seemed very interested in the thought of it though

He had a hard time sexing them. I picked the ones with the biggest crests and smallest combs and a lot had streamers.

My roo is quite stand-off-ish as well. Once I got ahold of him he will sit with me. He is a bugger to catch though!

My pullets are very calm and docile. They are easy to get, and will snuggle

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
I was hollering at my kids to quit whatever they were doing, they were shaking the house

They come running in with their worldly possessions scared saying it's not us. I said go tell your daddy to stop whatever he is doing he is going to rock this house right off the blocks!!

Then the neighbor called screaming she thought her old house was going to collapse. I would have never dreamed it was an earthquake. But, it wasn't too bad.

Some silkies mature slower and some faster. They can crow at young ages, I have heard of it before.

 

[Alena]

Quote:
I'm guessing a cockerel on the splash. He's got the long hackles like a cockerel. I am unsure of the black one though. It might be a roo but like someone said, it could be a hatchery quality pullet.