The Poultry Keeper

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:18 pm Post subject: I'm told that 'she' is a 'he'

This is Marmalade, one of Summayah's brood. I've been a little unsure recently as to whether she was a he and my friend from over the road had a look for me and said that she thought she was a boy. I took some pics to Thornes as they've got quite a lot of silkies and they confirmed that she was most definitely a he. So far 'he' has shown no tendencies one way or the other - no eggs and no crowing - so it's not a problem, but it's a shame that he/she won't be going broody!

Knobby · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:21 pm Post subject:

How old is she/he Jooles ?

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure actually. I think she/he was last year's hatch, poss early summer. Need Summayah to confirm.

Knobby · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:49 pm Post subject:

Hmmm...looking closly at the pics in the gallery, I must say Im not "Convinced" he/she is a boy....but Im not an expert Wink

I'll try and find a pic of my Silkie so you can compare !

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks Knobby. I have to say that Marmalade does look more like the boys at Thornes than the girls and my neighbour thought she could see the beginning of spurs growing.

Knobby · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:05 pm Post subject:

If it does turn out to be a boy, Im sure knowing silkies he will still want to sit on some eggs !!! Very Happy

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject:

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Oh dear. I am sorry if she is a he. I could never find anything to show that it was a he ~ no comb or wattles, but then I'm not an expert, so very sorry. She (I'm still sticking with that) was hatched early May last year ~ obviously a very late developer!

fenwoman · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:56 pm Post subject:

Are the hackle feathers pointed at the ends? You might have to wet them and hold them on a bit of cardboard to see properly.

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:34 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure that Marmalade would hang around long enough for me to do that Fenwoman, Shocked

but I'll try and have a closer look in the morning.

Summayah, don't be sorry, she (or he) is lovely whatever she turns out to be. Very Happy

May - that makes her 10 months old. She still looks like a baby to me Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

thanks julia ~ she obviously still is, otherwise she would be doing what all boys and girls do. She is supposed to be a bantam so will only stay small

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

I had a silkie cock once that stole eggs from the hens to sit on Shocked

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

So you might have a broody yet! I also heard that when there are chicks around it is usually the male silkie who looks after them, letting them hide under his wings etc.

jooles · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:20 pm Post subject:

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

That puts my mind at rest, Julie, thank you