Anyone here with Silkie Chickens? I need help

Question

I really need help trying to s*x my silkies..The guy I bought them from wasn't too sure what they were. Just any advice or pointers on figuring it out would be great!

Answer 1

it is near impossible to s*x silkies and is better to wait till either they crow or lay an egg, (roughly 24 weeks old). The hair doo is pretty accurate though.

I have also been informed that day old sexing of silkies is impossible - something to do with the extra fluff. Many people have told me this.

I sell most of my silkies at 6 weeks or age and i tell people it's pot luck, i wont even try to s*x them

Answer 2

Avian biotech aka animal genetics will send you free DNA testing kits for birds, you can choose from a blood feather kit or a blood sample..one drop on a piece of collection paper by clipping a nail slightly too much (I keep styptic to make sure the blood clots when I DNA any bird). It is pretty simple follow the collection instructions and mail in the samples and submission form and they will send you first results by e-mail and also send you a DNA certificate stating who is male or female.

Answer 3

I have silkies . .

and to be honest to a person who is novice to poultry keeping. .  It will seem quite hard . .  but that being said I don't find it to hard although i have had chickens (silkies included) for over 7 years

depending on how old are they. .

if they are chicks there is no definite way of telling their s*x until they are a little older . . . and either crow or lay an egg.

here are a few links which might help you . .

first a link to a page of silky images . .

and it says their s*x underneath each so you might be able to figure it out.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/S...

also

here is a silkie cockerel

http://www.wildlife-camera.co.uk/wp-cont...

and a hen  http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/S...

hope this helps you some little bit. . .

but if they are chicks I'm afraid there is no way . .  apart from vent sexing . .

if i was there i could probably tell the gender for you

perhaps post a photo? =)