How to Sex Silkie Chickens:

​Adult Silkie Roosters are easily distinguishable by their:
​

• Large Comb
• Large, sometimes pendulous wattles
• "Streamer" feathers coming from the back of the head
• Crest not as "pom-pom" like, and is split by the comb
• Larger size
• Heavier weight
• Longer legs
• Higher proportion of hard feathers in the tail
• Loud crowing & comparatively lower pitched voice
• Outgoing, active, and amourous natures.

​

Adult Silkie Hens have the following attributes:
​

• Ideally a large "pom-pom" on the head.  Some hens have smaller, cone shaped head feathers & this is not considered Australian breed standard.
• Smaller size & lighter weight than roosters.
• Shorter legs
• Docile behaviour & low aggression
• No crowing noises.  A higher pitched voice in general.
• Rounded tail with few hard feathers
• Comparatively small comb and wattles.
• No streamers growing from the back of the head.

​Sexing Juvenile Silkie Chickens - here's where it gets tricky!

Silkie chicks are notoriously hard to sex.   By about 12 weeks of age we have started to see likely signs, but it's really not until 4-5 months that we can be absolutely sure.  Hopefully this year we'll get our in-house DNA testing underway & be able to sell guaranteed females from feather samples.

Tips for spotting a juvenile Chinese Silkie Rooster:

This little dude (at 12 weeks) is showing signs of being a rooster.

• he is larger than his female siblings.
• he likes to fight other young cockerels.
• there are amateur loving attempts on his sisters occurring.

​​

• His comb is growing to be quite large and wide.

• His wattles are larger than his female siblings.
• He is developing "streamer" feathers on the back of his head.

• His tail is a different shape to the girls.  It's longer, less rounded, and has a few "hard feathers" appearing.

​Tips for spotting a juvenile Chinese Silkie Hen:

This little girl differs to her brothers of the same age by:

• smaller size
• docile temperament

She is a pet quality hen - her comb and wattles are a little too pink.

• Her comb is considerably smaller than males of the same age.

• her wattles and comb are comparatively small
• she lacks "streamer" feathers growing from the back of her head.
• she is developing a fluffy crest or pom-pom.
  

• her tail is shorter, more rounded, and has contains fewer hard feathers.