Is this Silkie a Rooster or Hen ?

[EggSighted4Life]

Just found out today my black silkie is a Roo. Jury is still out on the white. Any guesses? I don't see a lot of difference between the two so I'm thinking might also be a roo but hoping for a hen to mate the two

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Your pic doesn't show much other than size. How old are those boys? So ya, just off size alone, I'm thinking the white one is probably a cockerel as well.

For comparison look at the combs. If they are the same age and all you would see significantly less comb on a girl. You will have to hold the crest back. My girls started laying at 6 months old. They have a little bump of a comb. But they seem almost half the size of yours.

 

[summerb123]

Cockerel

 

[Abby4501]

Any ideas on these 3?
The buff I'm thinking pullet, the white I'm afraid roo, and the black I'm very confused on. Especially because he/she has a single comb instead of the typical walnut comb silkies have(feed store hatchery chicks).
They are approx 7 -8 weeks old.

 

[Abby4501]

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Any ideas on these 3?
The buff I'm thinking pullet, the white I'm afraid roo, and the black I'm very confused on. Especially because he/she has a single comb instead of the typical walnut comb silkies have(feed store hatchery chicks).
They are approx 7 -8 weeks old.

Hi, welcome to BYC!

6 weeks is seriously young to be sexing silkies. But that white one looks to have quite a comb, definitely thinking boy!

Are you sure your feed store got those from the hatchery? Where are you located? I don't know of any hatcheries that do silkies in the winter... or even large fowl for that matter. Of course, I haven't scoured the web looking either though.

The silkies I got at the feed store were from a local breeder, though without my asking would never have know that. Only way I could justify straight combed silkie would be mixed breed. Do they all have 5 toes still?

It's nice to have a variety of colors, helps to tell them apart.

 

[Abby4501]

I am located in Escondido(San Diego, CA)Yea the single comb silkie has five toes and black skin, as do he other 2. I'm pretty sure the gentleman who helped me told me the hatchery name they came from, by I can't recall. He said they got chicks from a few different ones. But perhaps the bantams they got were from a local breeder. I got bantam cochins and silkies together.
The white one does have quite a wide comb area, but it still appears just as smoothe as the buff ones comb(not sure this makes any difference at this age). Just hoping I end up with at least half of them being hens *fingers crossed!
I am certain 2 of the 3 bantam cochins are roos, very red and bigger combs than the third. But these silkies are much harder to determine

Thanks for your input!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I am located in Escondido(San Diego, CA)Yea the single comb silkie has five toes and black skin, as do he other 2. I'm pretty sure the gentleman who helped me told me the hatchery name they came from, by I can't recall. He said they got chicks from a few different ones. But perhaps the bantams they got were from a local breeder. I got bantam cochins and silkies together.
The white one does have quite a wide comb area, but it still appears just as smoothe as the buff ones comb(not sure this makes any difference at this age). Just hoping I end up with at least half of them being hens *fingers crossed!
I am certain 2 of the 3 bantam cochins are roos, very red and bigger combs than the third. But these silkies are much harder to determine

Thanks for your input!

Oh well Daygo, has nice weather.. so I can see that possibly being hatchery stock.

We thought about moving down there several times. But decided there was too much traffic and ended up almost as far north as you go in CA, on the coast also. We love it here.

Even breeders have a hard time sexing before 6 months for silkies. We still weren't sure on ours until all 3 laid eggs at 6 months!

We just got lucky, I know they were straight run. Guessing whoever got theirs before me ended up with more boys.

I have gotten hatchery GLW with the wrong comb also... So it almost isn't surprising.

It is kind of nice when you can tell young... but I also kind of like the guessing game.

You may still get more input today. But I would definitely try back again in the future.

 

[Abby4501]

Thanks so much! I'll just wait it out then
I love Northern CA coast, so beautiful up there! I had an aunt who lived about as far north as you can go also, it was a treat to visit up there!

 

[Jen-Brd]

Hi, welcome to BYC! 

Your pic doesn't show much other than size. How old are those boys? So ya, just off size alone, I'm thinking the white one is probably a cockerel as well.

For comparison look at the combs. If they are the same age and all you would see significantly less comb on a girl. You will have to hold the crest back. My girls started laying at 6 months old. They have a little bump of a comb. But they seem almost half the size of yours. 

I do believe you are correct! White one was trying to crow today. Thanks for your input

.

 

[Abby4501]

Ok, this one is 4 months old now and I'm hoping someone can help!
Single comb, which is making it a little harder to tell because I can't look for the big walnut like typical silkies. Not crowing, but does "spar" with my bantam cochin who is same age and crowing.