Jo Plescow
In the Brooder
Hi everyone, in new to raising chickens so please don’t judge if I don’t use proper terms! I have 5 chickens, 2 of them being silkies. I knew my risks of ending up with a rooster but I wanted a silkie because my mom had one and said they’re just the sweetest. They’re about 4 1/2 weeks old right now and I know everywhere online says you won’t be able to tell any distinctions in gender under they’re at least 8 weeks but usually not until they’re 4-5 months old. My issue is I am an animal lover and have never in my life gotten rid of an animal. I currently have three special needs dogs and cats in my home one of the needing diapers for life because I simply will never give up on a new animal that comes my way so the thought of ending up with a rooster kills me to think I’ll have to get rid of it. Maybe I’m looking too into it because I’m nervous but at 4 1/2 weeks I swear I can tell one of them is a rooster and was hoping someone could help me out if I’m right or just crazy. The white one I believe is a rooster based off appearance but doesn’t have any personality traits of one. He’s timid and follows the other one around like it’s his mom and they’re the same age. His name is dipshit by the way. So the possible female (cornbread) acts more like a rooster than Dipshit but his feet are far more feathered and it almost looks like his comb is starting to appear longer/more whispy towards the back. But again, everywhere I’ve read says there’s no gender tells until they’re much older so I don’t know if this is a fluke or not. Any help is appreciated! I really hope I’ve got two females I just don’t know if I’d be able to get rid of the male but my city won’t allow roosters and I know my neighbors would hate the noise and call.