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silkies

post #1 of 6
4/21/12 at 8:37pm
Thread Starter 

this september i am getting some silkies and just want to know a lot of information on them

first of all and most importantly do they go broody quite often?

i heard that sometimes the roosters will sometimes go broody will they really?

Just for the record i would not really care if they layed a lot of eggs my other chickens already lay enough for me but my incubator can't incubate fast enough to keep up with all of my friends that want all sorts of chickens just like mine and the best thing about using silkie versus incubator is that even if the hatch is a flop with the silkies they are still so cute.  if it is cold outside i am probaly going to bring the inside the house. 

so just wondering if they lay a lot or if they go broody alot

either will be fine

 

plus do silkies that are straigh trun have a tendency to hatch out more boys or girls because unfortuantley i can not afford the sexed kinds i have to get straight run so i was just wondering

 

 

                        Thanks in advance for every ones advice and answers! 

count your blessings and thank the lord so that your blessings maybe multiplied
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count your blessings and thank the lord so that your blessings maybe multiplied
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post #2 of 6
4/22/12 at 6:26am

Silkies are definitely known for going broody frequently - mine do several times a year.  Mine actually lay frequently (when they're not broody or recovering from going broody), at least 5 eggs per week. While many silkie roosters are known for being gentle with young and nurturing, I've never heard of one going broody????

My silkies are very hardy, and do better when the cold hits than some of my LF birds, so I doubt you'll have to give them any "extra" care related to cold weather. 

Getting your birds straight run...there's no telling what you'll end up with.  There's a 50/50 chance you'll get boys or girls.  If you're getting them from a person, I'd choose the ones with the fullest crests and low key coloration (if partridge at least).  That doesn't guarantee anything, but that's what I'd do.  Well bred silkies are a lot trickier. My Pet Chicken does sell sexed silkies, but it's an art, not a science, so there's still a chance you could end up with a male.

Caretaker of a lovely mixed flock including: australorp, plymouth rocks, wyandotte, d'uccles, silkies, EEs, andalusian, and a few seramas, plus a golden retriever, great dane, and three cats.
R.I.P. Bear 2010 - "The Best Dog Ever"

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Caretaker of a lovely mixed flock including: australorp, plymouth rocks, wyandotte, d'uccles, silkies, EEs, andalusian, and a few seramas, plus a golden retriever, great dane, and three cats.
R.I.P. Bear 2010 - "The Best Dog Ever"

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post #3 of 6
4/22/12 at 4:17pm
Thread Starter 

would my dominicker rooster that is 2 years old fight with my silkies if they turned out to be roosters and would they fight each other if there were a few silkie roosters.

 

count your blessings and thank the lord so that your blessings maybe multiplied
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count your blessings and thank the lord so that your blessings maybe multiplied
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post #4 of 6
4/22/12 at 8:11pm

I bought 4 chicks four weeks ago from our local Agway then just got my two little Silkies (about the same age as my first four chicks) from a neighbor. I have no idea, (nor did she) if they're roosters or not. I want only hens but in the event that one or both of them are male, I'm worried I'll get attached to them anyway. I'm a little concerned about keeping a rooster however as I dont want chicks now and I'm afraid he'll be loud and aggressive. I've been trying to handle them as much as possible... about twice a day for about a half hour is all I have time to spend with them. Just wanted some opinions on Silkie roosters from those that have them as pets.

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post #5 of 6
4/22/12 at 9:48pm

Silkie roosters are not usually people aggressive, and are considerably less "other rooster" aggressive than game birds, but they may fight--especially during their "teenage" phase.

 

In general I find the boys to have more personality than the girls--it does vary with individual birds, though.  I have heard of a NUMBER of "misdiagnosed" gender cases from My Pet Chicken.  Yes, silkie roosters will occasionally brood.  Not common, bit it occasionally happens.  They are usually very good fathers, though.

Breeder & Exhibitor of fine silkies in Black, Blue, Splash, Grey, Partridge & Lavender.  Working on Dun, Mottled, Partridge dilutions, Paint, Porcelain & other exciting new colours
adult and started pairs occasionally available;   No eggs or chicks. 
Support your local poultry clubs, breed clubs, ABA & APA!

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Breeder & Exhibitor of fine silkies in Black, Blue, Splash, Grey, Partridge & Lavender.  Working on Dun, Mottled, Partridge dilutions, Paint, Porcelain & other exciting new colours
adult and started pairs occasionally available;   No eggs or chicks. 
Support your local poultry clubs, breed clubs, ABA & APA!

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post #6 of 6
4/23/12 at 8:08am
Thread Starter 

thanks you are giving me so much helpful information thanks so much


 

count your blessings and thank the lord so that your blessings maybe multiplied
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count your blessings and thank the lord so that your blessings maybe multiplied
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