Any tips on picking out baby Silkies??

[chickintexas]

I'll be looking through about 50 Silkies next Thursday and I'm wondering if any of you Silkie experts can give me some advice on what to look for and what to avoid. Also, is there any way to tell when they are young whether or not they will be bearded or not?
Thanks!

 

[SilkiesAndSuch]

Look for good toe spacing, all five toes, look for active, healthy babies, and good toe feathering-especially on the middle toe. Make sure none have crossed beaks or splayed leg. And make sure the toes all have toe nails and are blue, not pink. You won't be able to pick out great show birds from just looking at chicks, but you will be able to make sure you don't have any with birth defects. I don't know how to tell if they are bearded or not while they are chicks.....Good luck! Hopefully someone with even more experience with silkies will be able to give more advice

Hope you get good babies!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Yup, all of that.

Also, if these silkies came from a hatchery the birds will be hatchery quality, and not as fluffy, as large top knot, etc, as birds from a breeder.

 

[chickintexas]

Quote:
Yup, all of that.

Also, if these silkies came from a hatchery the birds will be hatchery quality, and not as fluffy, as large top knot, etc, as birds from a breeder.

Not as fluffy? Dang. That's what I'm looking for, though, and I'm not finding anyone local that has quality chicks for sale. I've considered purchasing an incubator so I can hatch my own but I'd probably use it just the one time. And I haven't found anyone willing to ship chicks either.

 

[jossanne]

Quote:
Yup, all of that.

Also, if these silkies came from a hatchery the birds will be hatchery quality, and not as fluffy, as large top knot, etc, as birds from a breeder.

Not as fluffy? Dang. That's what I'm looking for, though, and I'm not finding anyone local that has quality chicks for sale. I've considered purchasing an incubator so I can hatch my own but I'd probably use it just the one time. And I haven't found anyone willing to ship chicks either.

You haven't been a BYC member for very long have you? I don't think anyone can use an incubator just one time. It's like meth or Lay's potato chips or something... try it once and you're hooked.

Good luck getting the chicks you want! I'm jealous!

 

[juliechick]

Quote:

Beware! Hatching is extremely addictive.

 

[Fluffy Chick 15]

Im by no means a silkie expert (In fact, im a newbie) BUT I THINK that if the chick looks to have puffy cheeks and if you look under its beak and it seems to have a length of fluff under it, then its probably bearded, now this may not be true but thats what I thought.... GOOD LUCK! Have fun and try not to panic! LOL

AND you MUST post pics ASAP!

 

[chickintexas]

OMG, you guys crack me up!
Yes, I'm pretty much a "newbie" to this site. I've learned so much since joining. Yes, chicks are certainly addictive and I keep telling myself,"Just one (two) more and that's it!" I'll probably still visit the feed store next Thursday. When you've got a chance to check out 50 Silkie chicks, how can anyone resist?

That's what I've heard as well about the little muffs/beards on the chicks; if they are there then they will be bearded. Could the Silkie breeders chime in on this? Thanks so much!

 

[MuranoFarms]

Quote:

I second this notion! You will probably use it once then put it away. Then you'll find out that someone with beautiful bids is selling eggs. and since you already have the incubator...... "oh, and while I'm incubating these, I should get some from this breeder"

It's a vicious vicious cycle!