Things You'll Need
- Silkie hen and rooster
Instructions
Deportment for the hen and cock (rooster) vary. The cock stands with a noble carriage and has a broad breast, puffed and raised from the ground --- rather like a courting pigeon. Wings of the cock are held at a distinct slant with longer primary feathers. Watch the more soft carriage of the hen with the body held more horizontally and closer to the ground. Notice the difference in bearing as the hen does not carry herself with the upright posture of the rooster.
Note the feathering differences as the hen has a full, round crest without the streamers of the cock. Hens do not have a saddle or a full sweeping tail. Cock neck feathers are long and pointed and are called the hackle. The shank of the cock has spurs and his comb is larger and more prominent than on the hen.
Notice that the hen clucks and speaks with a "conversational" tone. Listen for typical hen-styled clucking. Rooster vocalizations are deeper, less "clucky" and the rooster crows, "pips" over food and engages in the greeting dance (all typical male expressions).