Surprise, Another Confusing Silkie

[Chookmitten]

Hi team, I have been lurking for about six months and have found this thread to be really helpful as I raised up chicks this spring. I got two Silkies (a breed I LOVE) in the hopes that they would both be female. Almost immediately my white one outpaced my partridge in growth and with a more assertive personality as far as digging in to the food dish. They are both 17 weeks now and I was wondering what you think about the white one? They are both pretty mellow now that they are this big.

No comb raised (totally flat and black still), but kind of an upright posture, while the partridge sort of runs like a torpedo. I was set to give him/her away, but I showed this bird at a harvest fair this weekend and the chicken expert running the chicken display suggested I hold off...he thought I might have a girl.

Poofy head, no evidence of a rooster tail yet. Anyone else with a 4 mo. old roo who can compare? Thanks in advance, and all opinions are welcome.

 

[seminolewind]

It depends. From what I can see, female. But silkies are hard.
I would say if the poof is smooth-female. If the poof has little longer spikey hairs coming through, male. Do you see a comb or anything?

My silkie is pretty assertive, she keeps two silkie males in line!

 

[ercky&perky]

It looks like a female to me? sometimes the roostys have a wider thicker comb good luck!! you will find out sooner or later

 

[spookykim]

I would say girl. most roo's look like they have a part in the center of there top feathers and girls are more of just a poof.

 

[Henrietta23]

On mine BYCers were able to tell he was a roo by his comb within 3 weeks or so. I hope it is a pullet. She's a beauty!
And welcome! I wonder if that may be the longest lurk in BYC history?

 

[Chookmitten]

Thanks so much! No part, no comb, and no spiky feathers. Yahoo, I hope.

 

[Teresaann24]

I have to say hen! This is my almost 13 week old roo look at his comb!

Oh BTW BEAUTIFUL SILKIE!

 

[Chookmitten]

Thanks, Teresaann24, that's exactly what I was hoping someone could show me. You have a nice boy there, and I hope you can keep him. I live in a dense area and cannot.

Now if I only know why they are such different sizes. It is a mystery.

Thanks again, all.

 

[LilPeeps]

Looks like a pullet.

 

[Chookmitten]

I think we have resolution here. This batch of chickens are all new this spring, and have been pretty quiet so far. Just this morning, they all had one of those big ten-minute cackle parties, led by the white Silkie. I'd forgotten how I'd missed that noise! I guess I have my answer now.