Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[Fancychooklady]

From she who knows nothing really about horses except they eat grass and you can ride them Dutchy looks stunning I am sure your talented daughter will have him achieving his best in no time.

He's no ' oil painting ' that's what the competition will say, but he is a very talented show jumper and hopefully they will make an awesome team. He's only 16 hh yet he is 6ft 6 long which means it a bit of a squeeze for him in a standard truck or float bay. He has a rubbed burn and nose, but hopefully the hair will grow back quickly. . Just heading down the front to watch her ride him. Once he grows his Tassie flippers he will be great in the mud.

 

[Ashburnham]

I can't say that I've ever heard of size being that much of a problem. Consistency , colour and texture would be a more reliable indicator. It goes without saying that all of these would be directly connected to the type and amount of food being consumed.

I agree.

 

[Fancychooklady]

So basically fun all year round then?  I expected as much. So far Aggie's laid a decent clutch each time, probably averaging about 8 or so eggs. Is the moulting following a broody cycle usual each time too?

Back to back brooding and molting is common as they are both ' hormone ' driven. Some birds will cease laying 4-6 weeks for a moult and 5-6 weeks if they are hatching chicks.
Some will pull their own belly feathers out to get skin to egg contact ( better insulating ).
I've had silkies for 15 years and quite honestly gave up trying to ' break ' their broodiness a long time ago. Now I enjoy their winter laying and put them to work throughout spring/ summer hatching eggs.

 

[MyHaven]

Hi all I have three mix breed hens five mix breed silkies one Prue breed Peking rooster , looking at getting a few different breeds

Sound lovely. We like pics feel free to share photos.

Cheers

 

[MyHaven]

Hi all I have three mix breed hens five mix breed silkies one Prue breed Peking rooster , looking at getting a few different breeds

 

[SilkieChickStar]

Now that's interesting, as I swear some days Annabelle's voice sounds slightly hoarse. Considering she walks around all day talking to herself, and anyone that'll listen, it makes sense. Your little Dusty sounds like quite the character, never a dull moment   

SilkieChickStar, that is adorable. My Beatrice is extra sooky atm, dunno if it's the cold or what. Following me like a puppy, wanting cuddles.  How's your little Pekin with the sniffles doing?

She is not sneezing as much as she was and she hasn't made that noise again so far. Eating and drinking and pooing like a champion at the moment lol. The Faverolles is a guts

Well not really but definitely the bigger eater.

 

[Fizzybelle]

Back to back brooding and molting is common as they are both ' hormone ' driven. Some birds will cease laying 4-6 weeks for a moult and 5-6 weeks if they are hatching chicks.
Some will pull their own belly feathers out to get skin to egg contact ( better insulating ).
I've had silkies for 15 years and quite honestly gave up trying to ' break ' their broodiness a long time ago. Now I enjoy their winter laying and put them to work throughout spring/ summer hatching eggs.

Thanks for that, good to know it's all part of the cycle and is usual. I do enjoy getting eggs from her, as she's a good layer. The broodiness, I'll just learn to roll with it

She is not sneezing as much as she was and she hasn't made that noise again so far. Eating and drinking and pooing like a champion at the moment lol. The Faverolles is a guts

Well not really but definitely the bigger eater.

That's good to hear, sounds like it's clearing up. Just give her extra time in quarantine before making any decisions about introducing them to other chooks. I've been in your situation before, and things did turn out ok, so don't stress too much

 

[satay]

I hate to say , but some silkies will literally lay 3-4 eggs and then go broody. the good news is that where that lack in consistency through the warmer months they make up for in winter. My silkies lay right through the coldest months.

Some of my pekins can be the same. My over achiever budgie is on her 4th hatch for the season. I can't believe she has babies at this time of year. Seems as soon as they leave the nest box she is thinking wow that was fun lets do it again.

 

[Teila]

Good morning folks

SilkieChickStar good to hear that your little Pekin seems to be doing well.

Lol satay at your over achiever budgie and that was fun, lets do it again

In case anyone is interested, I have added a couple more Tales to: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1109051/teilas-tales-from-the-coop

 

[Fizzybelle]

Well, Beatrice has put on her own one chicken production today, all yelling, all carry on. That first egg must on the way. In and out of the nest boxes, flying, the screaming, my god. Even by her premadonna standards, this is next level stuff.

edit:she's currently stomping around in the nest box, moving straw. Fingers crossed. And fingers crossed she's not like this before EVERY egg she lays.

double edit: oooh I just peeked through the coop window, she's made a nest, surrounded herself with straw, tail is up. It's showtime!