Meet Rose, an 18-month-old black Silkie Bantam hen. She’s broody most of the time, rarely lays, and when she does it usually looks like some creepy alien egg. Nevertheless, she’s my friend, and that buys her a forever place on my little farm.
It’s difficult, but not totally impossible to determine the sex of a Silkie. There are signs that can help you long before the first egg or crow of a rooster. Behavior and size can be good indications of sex.
Roosters are often bold, have that sturdy or stronger look, and sometimes they are larger. These are noticeable traits, even when chicks are still in the brooder. Look for the brighter, or sharper distinctions of color in birds when they reach 8 or 9 weeks. Roosters seem to stand out more, dazzling you with a little wow factor.
These Silkies are all just under 3 months old, 2 white, and 2 buffs. The white Silkie pictured below is probably a rooster. He is much larger and has been at the top of the pecking order since the second week of life. The size between pic 1 and 2 is obvious, recognizing behavior traits is something you’ll notice by watching your own birds.
All we really can do is learn the behavior traits of roosters and recognize indications such as size. But I must admit, I’ve been positive about having a Silkie rooster… and been surprised 6 months later when it laid an egg. Gotta love those Silkie Bantams!
If you are only interested in egg production then you may not want to purchase chicks that have broody tendencies. Broody hens can be troublesome, so if you’re not looking for a mother hen, here are the breeds you may want to avoid.
Buff Rocks
Cochins
Orpingtons
Dark Cornish
Sussex
Cuckoo Marans
Plymouth Rock
Brahmas
Silkies
Cochin Bantams
Cornish Bantams
Serama
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 