Too Early to Call it? Silkie Roulette

[Lizzy733]

Hey Guys,

Foofy is going on 8 weeks now... still looking quite girlish. Wondering if any experts can chime in and let me know if they think otherwise.
- Pet quality non-bearded. (some were missing toes in this one's bin - all mixed colors)
- Crest is a little swept back, but seems to be rounding out as the feathers are still coming in.
- Comb is concave and smooth - Foof's face is a bit pale and seems to get some yellows in the comb
- No signs of wattles
- Noticed some grey leakage yesterday - a solitary feather on one wing (visible in first pic) and maybe a little down on the other side. (is this a boy only thing; or can hens show leakage as well?)
- Behavior is very hen-like. Tail stays low, even when standing alert. Always dives to the center of the flock if frightened - or just in general. A follower, not a leader - gets left behind often. Is standoffish about being handled. No chest bumping the shaver hens. Chatty and loud, but no crowing.
- Ears have blued up over the last week and are starting to get vibrant. Adolescent behavior has kicked in and Foofy has become a bit more outgoing but still nowhere near the level of the shaver girls.

Here are 7 and 8 Week Photos:
I have a gallery set up for a play by play from 4 weeks and will be adding as we progress through to crow or egg.

 

[NNYchick]

I’m sorry but it is still way to early. Silkies tend to do a lot of changing between 3-5 months. None of my boys get the classic male characteristics like comb, streamers and sickle feathers until after they crow. Behavior really doesn’t work either because you have really docile boys and spunky girls. I have juveniles out in the coop right now that hatched end of June and July that I can’t tell. I will give you an example this Monet
4 months

7 months

11 months

As you can see he he crowned at 5 months but really didn’t look full boy till well after 7 months that’s why they say you don’t know till crow or lay an egg.

 

[NNYchick]

This is one of my hens from 6 weeks to 7 months. This college shows how much they changed.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Nothing points to cockerel at the moment, but it's still a bit early.
Post pics of the comb, crest, and saddle at 12 weeks.

 

[drumstick diva]

agree

 

[Lizzy733]

11 weeks this weekend. I don't have a new comb close-up, but there's been no movement in that department. Still concave; still no wattles; still pale.

Crest is 'very' wide in the front. I've tried hair bands, which did well until the other chickens decided to groom it away

Here's some pics from the last two weeks. The one directly below is from this morning.

 

[Lizzy733]

And the results are Girl! She gave us an egg for April Fools Day at 25 weeks.

 

[4and20blackbrds]

Just wanted to say thanks. You’ve given me hope that Heather could still be a Heath-her and not a Heath-him.

We’re at almost 9 weeks and your lady sounds just like our Heather. I think heather’s crest? is less rounded, which’s gives me anxiety. We already ended up with a cockerel from a sexed pullet chick.

Anyway, Heather says thank you, with a very grumpy face.

 

[hhouck514]

Just wanted to say thanks. You’ve given me hope that Heather could still be a Heath-her and not a Heath-him.

We’re at almost 9 weeks and your lady sounds just like our Heather. I think heather’s crest? is less rounded, which’s gives me anxiety. We already ended up with a cockerel from a sexed pullet chick.

Anyway, Heather says thank you, with a very grumpy face.
View attachment 1727017

So males can't be named Heather?

 

[4and20blackbrds]

So males can't be named Heather?

My 11yo has decreed that if heather is a boy his name will be Elvis lol.