Breeding silkies/chickens - have some questions **PICS ADDED page 2**

[rilly10]

X 2!

 

[Elite Silkies]

Very nice wings Three Cedars! Gorgeous girl you have there.

Lisser I've seen them pull their wings up as they got older, I agree that they learn how to use those muscles to keep them pulled up tighter, but if they are not shredded now, I don't think that will change. The splash has better wings than the white, but I do not think the white is a cockerel. But, again they are still young and can fool you. But, if you get an exceptional Rooster he can improve the wings.

I have ordered a product called All Bird Economy, Formulated for the poultry industry or large hobby operation as a supplement for Vitamins, Minerals, Electrolytes & Probiotoics. Good for all poultry, (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese) including ostriches, pigeons, game birds, wild birds in backyards and sea birds in zoos or private collections. Increases egg production & fertility, improves feed convertion, aids in disease prevention, balances nutritional plane, strengthen newborns/decrease mortality, improve hatchability, aids in the control of shipping & heat stress. Odor-Gone to eliminate amonia odors, also contains factors which aid in reducing pathogenic infections.

I ordered the 28.2 oz package and with shipping it was $40.70, so it's not cheap. If I see improvement I will let eveyone know.



Lavender Pullet (This one is pretty nice) She has nice tight wings and a large crest.

 

[robin416]

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This isn't easy to find in some areas but I added animal protein to their diets which you've done by giving them egg a couple of times a week. Too much protein is not good but I found that feather quality improved greatly when I tracked down feed with animal protein.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Chick starter until they are about 2 months. Then we switch to Purina Flock Raiser with a few things added...BOSS, calf manna and shelled nut mixture (in the wild bird seed area at TSC) You have to be careful with too much protein and it took us a while to figure out just how much to add without them getting dirty butts.

We mix the bag of BOSS, small bag of calf manna and the bag of shelled nut mixture together. We feed about 1 part "extras" to 6 parts of Flock Raiser.

 

[featherbaby]

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Where would I order this All Bird Economy product? What company makes it? I've been giving mine a can of tuna (water packed) mixed with grains about once a week. They get other protein supplements too like calf manna and Manna Pro Gamebird crumbles, and all kinds of leftover treats. What is the problem with too much protein? I hadn't heard it would give them diahrrea.

 

[The Lisser]

My babies are really feathering out! Here are a couple of pics of my 10-week old pullets from eggs that I bought from Three Cedars Silkies:

I am so pleased with these girls!!! I was telling my neighbor (and silkie co-addict) that I think these girls have fantastic crests for being only 10 weeks old! And yes, look at the wings!! Much different than my other 3 silkies wings.

I bought eggs from several sources so I could breed unrelated birds - if I breed males with good wings to the girls with so-so wings will the babies have in-between wings or what? I like the type of my first girls - my only issue with them so far is the wings.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Oh, they are just gorgeous! So glad!

 

[The Lisser]

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I am so pleased with them. I will definitely buy eggs from you again.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Where would I order this All Bird Economy product? What company makes it? I've been giving mine a can of tuna (water packed) mixed with grains about once a week. They get other protein supplements too like calf manna and Manna Pro Gamebird crumbles, and all kinds of leftover treats. What is the problem with too much protein? I hadn't heard it would give them diahrrea.

There are a number of vitamin & mineral supplements for chickens and other birds. This particular one is not one I have previously heard of. GQF has a vitamin/mineral/electrolyte supplement that is supposed to be good. Aviacharge 2000 is also excellent. Even polyvisol without added iron is a great choice.

Too much protein can contribute to joint problems and gout. The reality is that different breeds seem to have different protein needs, and different cycles of growth also require different protein levels. Low protein when going into a molt. Once new feather growth begins, raise the protein level dramatically. Raise protein levels a month before beginning to collect hatching eggs. In general, I like a protein level of 18-24%, but raise to 28% when higher protein levels are needed, and reduce to 16% or lower when I want low levels. Most poultry feeds are desinged for economy, not optimum health. I feed an all-flock ration to my ducks and geese, and when I want lower protein levels. I use chick starter or gamebird for my showbirds or when I want a higher protein level. If I had top use only one feed for my flock it would be starter or gamebird.


I always read labels, and do not like it when they wimp out with "grains" instead of listing the specific grains involved. Ditto for when they say "plant proteins" instead of "soy" which is the most likely plant protein (IMO, pumpkin seed is a much better plant protein source than soy, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive). Tuna or other fish products are excellent choices to raise protein levels. Don't forget to also pay attention to fats and oils. Feather growth NEEDS lots of fats and oils, as well as protein.

Purina is not a brand I care for, although there are worse choices. Kings is supposed to be the absolute best, but it has a very limited distribution area, and I do not think it has made it to Arizona.

 

[The Lisser]

Remember the white chick I posted earlier? And several folks said it was a cockerel? Well I'm beginning to suspect they might be right. S/he is still the same size as the pullets from the second hatch, but I can see a bit of comb sticking out - although the splash cockerel from the same hatch has a much, much bigger comb and is about 2 x as big. Do silkie hens have a totally flat comb or do the combs pop out?

I need to take a pic - but I'm stuck inside with a sick child and DH won't be home until much later.

TIA for any advice.