Bantam Silkie and a Blue Maran available near Tampa/Sarasota FL

[Wifeygirl]

We bought baby chicks from Tractor Supply in April. Unfortunately, my 2 favorite turned out to be Roosters. City ordinance won't allow me to have a rooster.
So, if you know anyone nearby or just want to share in other social media that would be much appreciated...never know, a friend of a friend might be near me! Thanks!!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

Stinks when our favorites turn out to be non keepers.

Your first boy is a Cochin most likely, but NOT a Silkie. Silkies have 5 toes, crests, and walnut comb.

Your second boy is not a Marans of any sort as they have feathered shanks and white skin. But I am not sure what he might be. (easy mistakes for any newbie)

Craigslist farm and garden section might be a good place to post your boys. I use it often, and with a little discernment you can be comfortable letting them go.

No shame in letting them feed someone elses' family or pets where every day will be a good one with one bad moment that's over quick, if you cannot find a good home. We waste not, want not... and even bantams are edible. If you don't wanna know but are okay with it, state that in your ad.

Your Cochin is at an ugly stage right now but your other boy is handsome already.

Good luck, you're correct networking works!

 

[Wifeygirl]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

Stinks when our favorites turn out to be non keepers.

Your first boy is a Cochin most likely, but NOT a Silkie. Silkies have 5 toes, crests, and walnut comb.

Your second boy is not a Marans of any sort as they have feathered shanks and white skin. But I am not sure what he might be. (easy mistakes for any newbie)

Craigslist farm and garden section might be a good place to post your boys. I use it often, and with a little discernment you can be comfortable letting them go.

No shame in letting them feed someone elses' family or pets where every day will be a good one with one bad moment that's over quick, if you cannot find a good home. We waste not, want not... and even bantams are edible. If you don't wanna know but are okay with it, state that in your ad.

Your Cochin is at an ugly stage right now but your other boy is handsome already.

Good luck, you're correct networking works!

Thanks so much for the information. I know he's not a full silkie but, I thought he was still referred to as one but, of the american mix breed. Tractor supply sold them to me as Silkie and a Maran. I went in with the sole purpose of buying the Silkies they advertised...I was in love with silkies that I'd seen on the internet. But, they only sell 4 or more so, I bought 2 of them and figured I'd get the other 2 as full size so I'd have full size eggs. After the silkies started to grow I noticed they weren't growing a silly head of feathers so, I looked it up and discovered I had silkie mixes.
I don't mind that they're not what I thought because the 2 hens that I get keep are already loved and cute.
Just means I get to look into finding full breed silkies and hope DH doesn't disown me!
Thanks again for your info!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Tractor Supply should not be buying from local breeders (due to disease issues) and very likely use a specific hatchery... MOST hatcheries do not mess with crosses. If you call them they can probably tell you which one they used and make it easy for you to narrow down your breeds... just for fun! I love a good mystery.

Post pics of your ladies, see if we can help you identify.

I would not buy shipped eggs to California again. But I would buy chicks if available and within driving distance for you..
http://www.indigoegg.us/Poultry.html

She has many project colors, but lists what is in each pen.

 

[Wifeygirl]

Tractor Supply should not be buying from local breeders (due to disease issues) and very likely use a specific hatchery... MOST hatcheries do not mess with crosses. If you call them they can probably tell you which one they used and make it easy for you to narrow down your breeds... just for fun! I love a good mystery.

Post pics of your ladies, see if we can help you identify.

I would not buy shipped eggs to California again. But I would buy chicks if available and within driving distance for you..
http://www.indigoegg.us/Poultry.html

She has many project colors, but lists what is in each pen.

I bought them from the local tractor supply who gets chicks from SEVERAL different hatcheries but, not local to Florida.

I'll post pics of the girls when the torrential down pours stop. LOL

Not sure what you mean with that last sentence? ...She has many project colors, but lists what is in each pen.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Not sure what you mean with that last sentence? ...She has many project colors, but lists what is in each pen.

Bobbi, the gal from indigo eggs she has many pens with different colored or varieties of Silkie. Varieties like black, blue, white, buff and many others have been accepted to the American poultry association (APA) or American Bantam Association (ABA) standards of perfection. But some varieties such as cuckoo, paint, lavender, and porcelain (aka blue cream in some breeds) and maybe Partridge are considered project colors as they have not been accepted into either standard YET with regards to showing and such. People who who work on these project may still get light colored toes on their paint Silkies or redder on the comb than the mulberry we are aiming for. Project colors just means we are working with something more new with regards to feather coloring to more amazing varieties. But is still focused on the other breed standards and trying to breed as closely as possible to them.

 

[Squeak61]

Darn, I wish you were closer! The boy in the second photo is an absolute stunner

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

You have a blue cochin and a sapphire gem.
Good luck finding them homes!

 

[Wifeygirl]

OK, here is a picture of the other girl from my second bunch I bought 2 bantam silkies and 2 marans. Turns out, when I posted them on here I learned that the silkies are actually cochin. One of the Marans turned out to be a blue saphire. So, question is...what is this one? She was purchased with the Blue Sapphire but, considering how different it looks it's probably a completely different breed.

I know the pic is a little grainy but, it was the best I could get this afternoon...she's a booger.

lesson learned here--- IF hubby lets me get more fluffy bottom girls I WILL NOT get them from Tractor Supply.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I know the pic is a little grainy but, it was the best I could get this afternoon...she's a booger.

Looks like black Australorp... unless those are broken feather follicles I see on the feet.

Then maybe a midnight majesty Marans.