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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.
​
Picture
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:
Picture
Picture
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.
Picture
  • His wattles are larger than his female siblings.
  • He is developing "streamer" feathers on the back of his head.
Picture
  • 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:
Picture
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.
Picture
  • Her comb is considerably smaller than males of the same age.
Picture
  • 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.
Picture
  • her tail is shorter, more rounded, and has contains fewer hard feathers.
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  • Home
  • Indian Runner Ducks
    • About Indian Runner Ducks
    • Indian Runner Duck Australian Breed Standards
    • Gallery - Indian Runner Ducks
  • Bantam Chickens
    • Belgian D'Uccle Bantam Chickens >
      • About our Belgian D'uccle Bantam Chickens
    • Frizzle Bantam Chickens >
      • About Frizzle Bantam Chickens
    • Silkie Chickens >
      • About Chinese Silkie Chickens
      • Australian Silkie Chicken Breed Standards
      • Sexing Silkies
      • Why are Silkie Hens hard to find?
      • Gallery - Silkie Chickens
  • Poultry Care
    • Poultry Behaviour >
      • Egg Eating Chickens
    • Incubation, Hatching & Brooding >
      • Preparing Eggs for Incubation
      • Incubating & Candling Chicken & Duck Eggs
      • Why didn't my eggs hatch?
      • How to Post Eggs
    • Poultry Health >
      • Marek's Disease
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • For Sale