Why are Silkie Bantams offered as straight-run only from Cackle???

[Willow's Meadow]

So I wanted to get 5 silkie bantams from Cackle Hatchery along with 5 Orpingtons and 5 Brahmas and 1 Brahma roo. But Silkies are offered as straight run only. Why is this?? I wanted to get 5 pullets. Should I just forget it and get a different breed? Or will it be okay if I have a few pullets and a few cockerels?? I am a little upset about this!!!!

 

[Brody's Broodello]

Because it can take up to 6 months to tell the sex of any silkie. Long time breeders are fooled everyday!

 

[Elite Silkies]

The only hatchery that I know of that sexes Silkies is MPC, but of course they leave themselves room for error. A silkie is very hard to sex. Myself and several BYC members sexed 4 whites that I had as Roo's, they were all hens. They are hard to sex. I hear vent sexing a bantam is dangerous, but I guess that is how MPC sexes them.

 

[Karen_at_LittleBrook]

I don't know how they do it, but My Pet Chicken offers sexed Silkies. For Pullets it was $7.00 more per chick. I thought maybe for that price they x-ray them?? I paid the extra $7 for my 4 Silkies to "ensure" all girls.

 

[Willow's Meadow]

So should I just get 5 straight run silkies and see what happens or not?

 

[CityClucks]

If I really wanted Silkies and was allowed to have roos (if that's what some turn out to be), I'd go ahead and get the straight run. Sounds like the worst that could happen is that all 5 silkies will be boys, and you'll turn up with 10 pullets and 6 roos, counting your Brahma. You can offer the extra roos on craigslist if it doesn't make sense for you to keep them. So it's up to you - good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[cheshie]

I just got 6 straight run Silkies from my local feed store. I really wanted pullets, but I figured it's worth the risk to have some of these beautiful babies! If I end up with a couple of roos it won't be the end of the world. By the time I can actually tell them apart I'll be so attached I'm sure I won't care. I say go for it!

 

[Willow's Meadow]

bump!

 

[MuranoFarms]

Why is this? Because vent sexing silkies is very difficult and can kill them if done incorrectly. They cannot be feather sexed.

I wanted to get 5 pullets. Should I just forget it and get a different breed?You could always order 10 straight run and give the boys away. Of course, you still may not end up with 5 pullets...odds are with you on that one though! Or you can buy hens from a breeder. It will cost a little more, but you'll get what you want.

Or will it be okay if I have a few pullets and a few cockerels??Absolutely! In fact...they'll hatch you more chicks in about 8 months! Unless you have a local noise issue.