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

[Coram]

I'm so confused about this silkie. Every time I think I know the sex something changes. Last week he looked like he had a massive comb, so I though boy. But then all of a sudden he has a fluffy round top. Though the wattles are the biggest out of all three. What do you think??? He is nearly 10 weeks.

I can't help you on sexing, but it sure is one cute bird!!!!
As an aside my spelling is bad on this thread. I've misspelt *Araucana and *susceptible.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I'm so confused about this silkie. Every time I think I know the sex something changes. Last week he looked like he had a massive comb, so I though boy. But then all of a sudden he has a fluffy round top. Though the wattles are the biggest out of all three. What do you think??? He is nearly 10 weeks.

Looks like a pullet to me. Silkies are notoriously difficult to sex, keep an eye on the shape of the crest if it develops longer ' ribbons ' it's a roo. If all else fails it's crow or egg .

 

[Henriettasmum]

I'm so confused about this silkie. Every time I think I know the sex something changes. Last week he looked like he had a massive comb, so I though boy. But then all of a sudden he has a fluffy round top. Though the wattles are the biggest out of all three. What do you think??? He is nearly 10 weeks.

I would suggest it is a girl as I can't see any streamers out the back of its head. I have silkies too - bred quite a few and I'm always confused but if this was mine, I'd be saying 'girl'. But sometimes they surprise us! Let us know.

 

[SilkieChickStar]

I would suggest it is a girl as I can't see any streamers out the back of its head. I have silkies too - bred quite a few and I'm always confused but if this was mine, I'd be saying 'girl'. But sometimes they surprise us! Let us know.

Looks like a pullet to me. Silkies are notoriously difficult to sex, keep an eye on the shape of the crest if it develops longer ' ribbons ' it's a roo. If all else fails it's crow or egg .

I will be thrilled if she is a girl as it means she can stay!

 

[Anniebee]

I'm so confused about this silkie. Every time I think I know the sex something changes. Last week he looked like he had a massive comb, so I though boy. But then all of a sudden he has a fluffy round top. Though the wattles are the biggest out of all three. What do you think??? He is nearly 10 weeks.

He/she is gorgeous. Those beautiful fluffy head feathers.

Eventually your chicken will show whether it is a he, a she, or attempting to be transgender. !!!

Actually, that's not so funny. Many articles available on the subject of chickens changing sex at some stage of their lives. Not sure I believe them all, but .......?? .

Not beyond possibility that it can happen.

Wait a few weeks / months .... see what eventuates. Will be interested to find out which is what !!!

Cheers ...........

 

[Anniebee]

I'm thinking of getting Aracuanas toward the end of the year. It's a toss up between them or Gold Spangled Hamburgs. How frustrating having to buy eggs!! My flock shut down over summer in response to the terrible heat. Only three are up and running again, although another three will be laying again any day. I am unable to eat the eggs though as I am mid worming cycle.

Hi Coram ....

Had a look at the Gold Spangled Hamburgs and they are truly beautiful. But then all chickens are, in their own unique way. If I had my way, I'd have a heap of different type chickens on a large property ............ except I don't have a large property, so my 3 girls is all I have. Super happy with them, but they are almost 4 years of age now, so cannot expect too much more from them.

Re. the worming cycle. It depends I believe on what you are using to worm your chickens. The wormer I use, specifies 7 days with-holding period for meat birds.

Zero with-holding for egg layers, so maybe you CAN eat them. Look carefully at the packet instructions. .

Am currently using Aristopet All-wormer for my chickens, as I could get nothing else where we are, that would suit. Would imagine there is a better wormer than that, however, it seems to have worked well for my 3. They have no indications of worms anywhere or in any way.

Good luck - whichever way you decide about chickens ------ and worming meds.

Cheers ........

 

[sjturner79]

I'm so confused about this silkie. Every time I think I know the sex something changes. Last week he looked like he had a massive comb, so I though boy. But then all of a sudden he has a fluffy round top. Though the wattles are the biggest out of all three. What do you think??? He is nearly 10 weeks.

It looks more like my girls than my boys. The wattles ate almost hidden by the feathers. So is the comb. In all my boys the comb and wattles both stand out really well from the feathers. I also can't see any head or tail streamers that the boys have, so if it doesn't crow I would keep making as a girl until till it does, or lays an egg to really prove it.

 

[Teila]

Good morning folks

Henriettasmum I am definitely not an expert on what ails chickens and I see you have already received great advice from those on the thread more experienced than myself. I just wanted to say that I am sorry to read of your loss and hope you get it sorted soon.

SilkieChickStar again, there are more expert Silkie gender peeps who have already given you their thoughts but for what it is worth, on the latest pics, you can put me down for a pullet vote also.

We had a great day in the garden yesterday, the shining sun and lack of wind was a nice, welcome change. The girls lapped up every minute of the perfect conditions.

Syba passed his annual health check with flying colours. His Vet loves him and looks forward to his visits as she “does not see many big cats at this clinic”. Syba was not as pleased to see her as she was him

As always, she commented on how beautiful and shiny his coat is.

The Vet Tech did the prelim checks; heart rate and temperature and when the Vet came in, she looked concerned and took his heart rate again. Apparently when the Vet Tech had checked it, he was running at 240 bpm and anything over 200 is definitely a cause for concern. However, when the Vet checked it, it was back to 120 bpm which is normal. There was either a mistake or the fact that he had just arrived and been forcibly removed from the carry box he did not want to leave had caused him to overstress.

Anyways, I can tell you that for those few minutes, my heart was doing some racing of its own!

As she does whenever the cat carrier comes out of the cupboard, Chimee was in hiding. However, while we were sitting at the Vet's I imagined Chimee was at home doing a happy dance .. "Yeah, it is not my turn!" and was working on the "Nah, nah, na, nah, naaaah's" for when Syba got home

Also yesterday I was chatting to my neighbour who mentioned that his daughter was over the other day, rearranging some of her stuff that she has stored under a tarp in his carport. Anyways, when they were doing that a rat ran out of one of the boxes.

Yesterday, while we were sitting on the deck, a rat kept coming from the neighbours side and helping itself to the girls lunch. When the girls had retired for the night, I popped a rat snap trap in that general area.

I will mention here that I do dislike killing anything but, as you all know, rats can be a problem and I also do not want the neighbours blaming my chickens for any rats around the place.

Anyways, during the night, Syba was showing concern that something was outside, another cat etc so hubby went out to check and chased off across the roads’ cat. When he came back in he mentioned “I knew that rat trap was not a good idea, looks like you have trapped a cane toad!” As we were watching a movie at the time, I left it until an hour or so later to go out and dispose of the cane toad and reset the trap.

So, out I go with torch and plastic bag to remove the completely lifeless, not moving cane toad with a snap trap across his middle. Imagine my surprise when after opening the snap and dropping him into the plastic bag the plastic bag started hopping away! I tipped the little bugger out of the bag and he hopped off into the undergrowth!

Looks like cockroaches are not going to be the only surviving species after a world ending event, apparently they will have cane toads to keep them company!

 

[SilkieChickStar]

Ok I am after some advice please. My Faverolles pullet is walking around verrrrrry slowly today. Like with a duck waddle. And her tail is pointing down. She is sitting quietly in her coop today rather than being outside with the others as she usually is.

She has never laid before, could this be related to egg laying??

Or does it sound more like sickness?

 

[Teila]

SilkieChickStar Hopefully someone more experienced will advise you soon but in the meantime, I will share my thoughts.

The waddle, lethargy and tail pointing down can be a sign of internal laying or problems with may be that first egg. The symptoms are similar to those I have seen occasionally when they are attempting to lay a soft shelled egg. Also those of my bantam Leghorn who we lost due to internal laying.

However, I believe it can also be a sign of other issues, worms, parasites or other sickness. They can sometimes have those symptoms when feeling unwell.

If it was me, I would be checking out her poops; any diarrhoea or other abnormality? and checking out her crop.

Any signs of her appearing to be straining?

How is her breathing? Comb colour is good?