Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[FrankieDoodle]

Hello silkie peeps! I’m looking into adopting a silkie from my HS, and I was hoping you might be able to help me sex her first. Nothing screams male to me (especially when compared to the other one), but I know silkies are hard to sex.
If I had to guess, I’d say she’s around 2-3mo.

This is the only pic of the girl in question, unless you want one from when she was younger, though I don’t see how that would help.
Thank you in advance!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Hello silkie peeps! I’m looking into adopting a silkie from my HS, and I was hoping you might be able to help me sex her first. Nothing screams male to me (especially when compared to the other one), but I know silkies are hard to sex.
If I had to guess, I’d say she’s around 2-3mo.
View attachment 2952743
This is the only pic of the girl in question, unless you want one from when she was younger, though I don’t see how that would help.
Thank you in advance!

Really tough with only the one unclear photo. Sorry. Ideally should get a close up comb photo and a photo of the bird standing, side view full body.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

@LadiesAndJane Could you post a few of your male and female paints? I really think i have one of each... psycho polish are making pics difficult!

Got ridiculous quotes on the concrete base for my coop.. like $3000.. just stupid. So im going to figure something out on my own this weekend. Gotta get these girls moved asap!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

@LadiesAndJane Could you post a few of your male and female paints? I really think i have one of each... psycho polish are making pics difficult!

Got ridiculous quotes on the concrete base for my coop.. like $3000.. just stupid. So im going to figure something out on my own this weekend. Gotta get these girls moved asap!

@LynnaePB will probably have some more examples as she’s been breeding Paints longer than I have and has more birds. I only have two Paint pullets who are the daughters of my paint rooster and they are still quite young. I know they are pullets as I had them DNA tested.
One has a vaulted skull and one doesn’t.
Heres some photos of Eko for now but the pullets are out in the tractor and I won’t have easy access to them until I put them back in their brooder cage tonight.
I did find these two comb photos of each of them from mid December when they were 3-4 weeks of age if that helps.
I found some photos of Eko when he was younger, if that helps as well. He honestly didn’t have much comb until he was about four months old.
Eko:

Vaulted skull 4 week old pullet

Non vaulted skull 3 week old pullet

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Really tough with only the one unclear photo. Sorry. Ideally should get a close up comb photo and a photo of the bird standing, side view full body.

Yeah, that’s what I thought. :/ I wish I could get better pics, but the it’s kind of a long drive just for that.
Thanks for the help!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Yeah, that’s what I thought. :/ I wish I could get better pics, but the it’s kind of a long drive just for that.
Thanks for the help!

You’re welcome, sorry I couldn’t be of more help though. You take your chances with Silkies sometimes! That’s why I DNA test the ones I’m planning on keeping.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

@LynnaePB will probably have some more examples as she’s been breeding Paints longer than I have and has more birds. I only have two Paint pullets who are the daughters of my paint rooster and they are still quite young. I know they are pullets as I had them DNA tested.
One has a vaulted skull and one doesn’t.
Heres some photos of Eko for now but the pullets are out in the tractor and I won’t have easy access to them until I put them back in their brooder cage tonight.
I did find these two comb photos of each of them from mid December when they were 3-4 weeks of age if that helps.
I found some photos of Eko when he was younger, if that helps as well. He honestly didn’t have much comb until he was about four months old.
Eko:
View attachment 2952771View attachment 2952772
View attachment 2952773
View attachment 2952770
View attachment 2952780
Vaulted skull 4 week old pullet
View attachment 2952774
Non vaulted skull 3 week old pullet
View attachment 2952775

You know, whats interesting is all 3 (the little black one and the 2 paints) all have single combs. But they have black skin, and everything is looking silkie, except the smooth feathers on the black one. On the paints, theres a few smooth feathers on both paints wings (flight feathers). Based on when they were new chicks, they had the male/female wing shape.. but now their stances are really screaming m/f.

Im forcing them to be held against their will, including the polish. Hopefully that will get them settled a bit for pics.

Whats going to be tricky... if i have a male polish, and a male silkie... is which to keep!!

(Edit: nothing made sense )

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I understand the vaulted skull can cause problems if they get hit but is it good or bad or indifferent if silkies have a vaulted skull?
Wasn't sure if that was a sign of something to be sure they had or didn't have or just to be careful.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

I understand the vaulted skull can cause problems if they get hit but is it good or bad or indifferent if silkies have a vaulted skull?
Wasn't sure if that was a sign of something to be sure they had or didn't have or just to be careful.

Its extra cuteness!! But it is more delicate. Even my poor Esmeralda (polish, also vaulted) knocked herself out when she jumped too high when she got scared of the bantams.. i really thought she was a goner.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

You know, whats interesting is all 3 (the little black one and the 2 paints) all have single combs. But they have black skin, and everything is looking silkie, except the smooth feathers on the black one. On the paints, theres a few smooth feathers on both paints wings (flight feathers). Based on when they were new chicks, they had the male/female wing shape.. but now their stances are really screaming m/f.

Im forcing them to be held against their will, including the polish. Hopefully that will get them settled a bit for pics.

Whats going to be tricky... if i have a male polish, and a male silkie... is which to keep!!

(Edit: nothing made sense )

If they have single combs, you will be able to tell much earlier their genders.