Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[Louwin]

Here they are as a little group. I ended up with 4 white, 2 black and 5 sort of grey/brown ones. I know to sex them i would need individual photos of combs and profile.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

After reading this entire thread i decided to incubate silkies. I wanted to see for myself what they were like. I put 13 eggs in incubator, 1 was not fertile and 1 was fully developed but did not pip. I ended up with 11 of the most ridiculous and gorgeous little chickens and i decided i really love them. They are now 8 weeks old and i believe i may have 9 roosters and 2 hens!! I was wondering if i could put some photos on here to get expert help when they are 10 weeks old or should i wait longer? I have loved looking at all of your gorgeous silkies. Thank you for sharing with me and introducing me to these fun bundles of fluff!!

I'm so glad you decided to get silkies! They are amazing little chickens! Are they bearded or non bearded?
If you post some pictures we might be able to help.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I need close ups of face and tails.
This thread may help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tips-on-sexing-silkies.1477252/

 

[Louwin]

I need close ups of face and tails.
This thread may help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tips-on-sexing-silkies.1477252/

Thank you. I have read that link several times and have been using those details to guess so far. It is very helpful. I loved your broody hatching with pippin thread too. I have only hatched with an incubator and was hoping for a silkie hen to go broody in the next year or two to try a more natural hatch. Pippin is just gorgeous. I will post proper photos in a few days.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

MALE

• Tail feathers extend lomger than tail
• Wide U-shaped comb
• Wattle growth
• Feathers extending from crest
• Lower back feathers droop down the sides
• Neck feathers are long

FEMALE

• Round crest
• Comb is thin and goes up in 2 parallel lines and join into a small walnut
• Saddle feathers are in an upside down U shape and don't extend furtger than the tail
• Neck feathers are shorter

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Thank you. I have read that link several times and have been using those details to guess so far. It is very helpful. I loved your broody hatching with pippin thread too. I have only hatched with an incubator and was hoping for a silkie hen to go broody in the next year or two to try a more natural hatch. Pippin is just gorgeous. I will post proper photos in a few days.

Thanks! I love Pippin too... She's very beautiful

 

[LadiesAndJane]

View attachment 2787600
Here they are as a little group. I ended up with 4 white, 2 black and 5 sort of grey/brown ones. I know to sex them i would need individual photos of combs and profile.

Congratulations on your babies!
They are beautiful
Your grey-brown are known as partridge.
You can post individual photos of your chicks here if you like of course. Post photos of the full body, bird freestanding from the side and also close-ups of the head, side view and front view showing crest and comb. You can use one hand to push the crest feathers back in order to get a good view of the comb. If your silkies are bearded you may not see much wattle formation, this is usually only seen in the non-bearded variety.
10 weeks may be too early, but early developing cockerels may present themselves this young.
You could also post in the “what breed or gender is this “ forum of BYC. Will give you access likely to more opinions.
@PippinTheChicken gives you some great information.

 

[Louwin]

View attachment 2787601
MALE

• Tail feathers extend lomger than tail
• Wide U-shaped comb
• Wattle growth
• Feathers extending from crest
• Lower back feathers droop down the sides
• Neck feathers are long

View attachment 2787603

FEMALE

• Round crest
• Comb is thin and goes up in 2 parallel lines and join into a small walnut
• Saddle feathers are in an upside down U shape and don't extend furtger than the tail
• Neck feathers are shorter

Thanks @PippinTheChicken. This is a fantastic summary

 

[Louwin]

Congratulations on your babies!
They are beautiful
Your grey-brown are known as partridge.
You can post individual photos of your chicks here if you like of course. Post photos of the full body, bird freestanding from the side and also close-ups of the head, side view and front view showing crest and comb. You can use one hand to push the crest feathers back in order to get a good view of the comb. If your silkies are bearded you may not see much wattle formation, this is usually only seen in the non-bearded variety.
10 weeks may be too early, but early developing cockerels may present themselves this young.
You could also post in the “what breed or gender is this “ forum of BYC. Will give you access likely to more opinions.
@PippinTheChicken gives you some great information.

Thanks @LadiesAndJane. I usually hatch single comb breeds and i can pick roosters and hens by 4 -6 weeks!! I can see with silkies i am going to have to be very patient!!!

 

[Louwin]

Thanks also for the partridge name. I was wondering if they were partridge or just mixed up colourful!!