5th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2014 Hatch-A-Long

[bantambury]

This is the feathering that would indicate a pullet in a chick </= 3 days old in a standard breed LF. I have no idea if silkies ARE feather sexable at all; the crosses done to create many exotics also resulted in loss of the rF gene. IF silkies are feather sexable, it's highly likely that it's a pullet, and therefore should be named Steve.

I WOULD name her steve.....only that my dad's name is steve....AND it would be weird for me to be calling 'seve' and my dad be like....what?


LOL

ROFL!!!!!!

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

I WOULD name her steve.....only that my dad's name is steve....AND it would be weird for me to be calling 'seve' and my dad be like....what?


LOL

ROFL!!!!!!

All animals born on our farm are initially named Steve. If they prove to be spectacular, they tell us their name, and it changes. If not, when they exit 'babyhood' they become known by their number....

 

[bantambury]

Vaulted skulls are common in Silkies and nearly always bode well for beautiful crests. Some breeders breed for them exclusively, some believe it makes for a healthier flock long term to use some birds with non-vaulted skulls. It is a vulnerable point for sure. As far as guessing what color a chick will turn out, if you know the parentage I'd try contacting @Sonoran and see if she will help, or @Dragonlady. I am sure there are others, those happen to be the two I can think of right away who know TONS about Silkies and genetics.

To me there are few things as fun as watching Silkies grow up. They are adorable at every stage. If you like that sort of thing ...

thanks!

I agree with the last sentence.....LOL my silkie during the summer was cutest in her "ugly days" which went all too ugly for her. LOL

 

[bantambury]

All animals born on our farm are initially named Steve. If they prove to be spectacular, they tell us their name, and it changes. If not, when they exit 'babyhood' they become known by their number....

this is all too good!

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

this is all too good!

From the outside, perhaps... but every spring, I have to discuss information about 40-50 calves and a hundred or so chickens who are almost ALL still named Steve. It gets tough!

 

[bantambury]

Mareks protection is by being vaccinated - you have to give the chick a shot. You can purchase the vaccine and do it yourself, however, unless you're hatching a hundred at a time, it's not very cost effective. Your new hatchlings are not immune to Mareks - yet. Your breeder may be able to do it for you at a reasonable cost.

Ok thanks! where can you buy them? it will help ALOT! so can they be born with mareks or catch it?

Great question!

What do you mean by all Marek's? Vaccinated? If so, the issue you can have is that vaccinated birds shed the virus so it isn't your birds that would be vulnerable it is the new birds. Marek's is present in the environment everywhere. A paper published by the University of New Hampshire stated that if you have adult birds, they have been exposed to Marek's. I have a couple of birds here that are vaccinated but have opted not to vaccinate new chicks. I want a flock that thrives in the environment I have, that is resistant to this and other diseases present here and/or probably everywhere. Long term thinking. I know others take a different approach, this is the one I have adopted.

well...I thinl he may have ment....the parents are mareks vaccinated, so none of the chicks or eggs have ever been introduced.

Excellent point. We've been phasing out vaccines on the farm over the last three years - it's scary, but that's probably because we've been taught to be afraid, LOL.

I don't know how bad mareks is.....should I know?

 

[bantambury]

From the outside, perhaps... but every spring, I have to discuss information about 40-50 calves and a hundred or so chickens who are almost ALL still named Steve. It gets tough!

the struggle to distinguish is REAL.

 

[bantambury]

OH GOD. GOD OH. MAREKS.

just googled. I didnt even read anything. I just saw pictures, hats all.

a poultry keeper's WORST nightmare. all I can say.

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

Ok thanks! where can you buy them? it will help ALOT! so can they be born with mareks or catch it?

well...I thinl he may have ment....the parents are mareks vaccinated, so none of the chicks or eggs have ever been introduced.


I don't know how bad mareks is.....should I know?

1. Vaccine can be purchased through a number of providers - Randall Burkey, many feed stores, PedMeds, veterinarians. That I am aware of, the smallest vials are 100 doses, so there will be much waste. That's why I suggested asking your breeder.
2. Full-blown Mareks is fatal - I believe 100% morbidity

editing to add:
3. When I ordered chicks from hatcheries, I had them vaccinated because I have no knowledge or control over their prior environment. I have never vaccinated a bird I hatched, and have not encountered any problems. This doesn't mean I won't some day - it means I choose to take that risk.

 

[bantambury]

1. Vaccine can be purchased through a number of providers - Randall Burkey, many feed stores, PedMeds, veterinarians. That I am aware of, the smallest vials are 100 doses, so there will be much waste. That's why I suggested asking your breeder.
2. Full-blown Mareks is fatal - I believe 100% morbidity

1.

2.

3. How the heck do you vaccinate a chick yourself? where do you put the shot?