Some help with Cygnet the Chicken

[Luie]

Find a plethora of reference pictures/videos of the chicken in question here

Heya! I picked up a chicken a while ago at a farm day from a family friend who couldn't afford to keep all the little babies. They hadn't sexed the chicks, but I have a huge property so I picked up two with intention to get a few more. Had them since day one basically, unfortunately lost one to a goshawk, which pushed me to pay closer attention to the remaining chick for company. Cygnet has become an incredibly affectionate, beautiful bird. They're about 10 weeks, and we're picking up some sexed hens of about the same age in the coming week. This aside:

I've been calling Cygnet a hen up until now, but with the development of some very handsome wattles, I want to get second opinions, cause I'm thinking I've got a roo. I've owned many bird species before, but not ever chickens, so I don't really know what to look out for.

Additionally I'm not sure what breed they are, all I know is that they're a Silkie cross. Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Can you post some pictures in natural light?

 

[Luie]

Can you post some pictures in natural light?

Sure can!

 

[BYC910]

I'm no help here don't one end of a silkie from the other .You came to the right place . Lots Of members know them well . Sorry for loss and good luck with your chickens

 

[Luie]

Here we go. Getting 'em to stay still long enough is always the struggle.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

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Here we go. Getting 'em to stay still long enough is always the struggle.

Cygnet is a cockerel. Is it me or is he tail-less?

 

[JedJackson]

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Here we go. Getting 'em to stay still long enough is always the struggle.

If it's 10 weeks old then I would say it has to be a cockerel with that comb & wattle development. But there are no other signs of it being a cockerel. Is there any chance the bird is older? If not, then I would assume it's a slow developing cockerel.

 

[Luie]

@JedJackson @Brahma Chicken5000 it's why I was so uncertain. I did some googling but I couldn't get a straight answer. Still peeps like a baby, no crowing, no tail, no rooster behaviour. Quite certain he or she is about 10 weeks. Got them in November on the 13th, they were only a few days to a week old.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

@JedJackson @Brahma Chicken5000 it's why I was so uncertain. I did some googling but I couldn't get a straight answer. Still peeps like a baby, no crowing, no tail, no rooster behaviour. Quite certain he or she is about 10 weeks. Got them in November on the 13th, they were only a few days to a week old.

Are you in America? It’s probably a cross between a silkie an araucana.

 

[JedJackson]

@JedJackson @Brahma Chicken5000 it's why I was so uncertain. I did some googling but I couldn't get a straight answer. Still peeps like a baby, no crowing, no tail, no rooster behaviour. Quite certain he or she is about 10 weeks. Got them in November on the 13th, they were only a few days to a week old.

Cygnus has got to be a cockerel, then, with that much comb/wattle development at that age. Sometimes it takes quite a while for male hackle and saddle feathers to come in. It's a cute chickie!

I would advise getting pullets the same age or younger for him rather than getting fully grown hens. It will make it much easier for him, especially if the pullets you choose are of larger breeds.