California - Northern

[caychris]

That is probably it!

Maybe she will come back from Spain with more!

The chicks I have are very white in the wings (of course they are so young yet) I haven't seen any spots on the legs at all. I know the legs will change though (all my Dels did)

What are the first signs of sex in this breed?

 

[lawatt]

hello folks! i've been incredibly busy lately & am completely lost in this thread now, and will be flying to NY next week for a vacation at my sister's house, so will likely get way behind again, but:

-- all my condolences, Jason!

-- had a great day of processing chickens with Deann aka @juststruttin and her friends in Sebastopol on wednesday, we did a total of about 40 birds -- I'm feeling increasingly comfortable with it all (although haven't done the actual killing yet), and have to say, WOW, having a real plucker makes the process SO much easier.

-- wonderful to meet Barbara aka @tommysgirl yesterday, when she visited my house to pick up 8 mostly-marans chicks -- hope they are settling in to their new home!

and in case anyone here is a subscriber to the Wall Street Journal, I'm quoted in an article about the oyster farm controversy this morning:


hope everyone has a fabulous Fourth of July week!

 

[EZFarms]

I have no moneu fpr a vet. how long should i wait before considering culling him? i dont see any external signs og an injury

 

[ronott1]

The chicks I have are very white in the wings (of course they are so young yet) I haven't seen any spots on the legs at all. I know the legs will change though (all my Dels did)

What are the first signs of sex in this breed?

Big combs wattles and big legs.

 

[caychris]

Big combs wattles and big legs.

I noticed quite easily on the older ones I transported

 

[chickee]

I'm not looking to breed or exhibit/show them, so I would be okay with more feedstore looking Silkies.

Not all Silkie chicks, even from top breeders, have vaulted skulls. I hatched eggs bought from Catdance Silkies and not all of them have vaulted skulls. I then did a test hatch when my birds started laying and wasn't sure which hen was laying. Turns out the eggs must have been from my blue pullet without a vaulted skull x my porcelain rooster with a vaulted skull, and got two blue partridge chicks and neither have vaulted skulls. So I'm sure that breeders have chicks for sale without vaulted skulls and sell them as pets.

These are the two 8 week old blue partridge chicks I hatched.

 

[ronott1]

I have no moneu fpr a vet. how long should i wait before considering culling him?

i dont see any external signs og an injury

If the chick is not better in two weeks or is suffering then Euthanize. It is really up to you to decide though.

Have you tried aspirin?

 

[EZFarms]

Dony have asprin because my dad is allergic
the link audio51 posted looks exactly like mine except he can straighten his head anymore i dontthink he can eat anymore. and hes not able to stand anymore he will lay there abd his whole body will convulse now.
whats the most humane way of culling younger chicks?

 

[Kaylish]

I moved the big girls into the large coop after dark last night. Went out super early and set out treats for distraction. Then sat back with my coffee to see how it went. Complete opposite of what I expected; big girls were so confused that the younger ones finished all the goodies before they even left the coop. And then my 11 week old Marans decided he was a big boy and tried to mate all 3, pinned both BO, and has been crowing since.

 

[ronott1]

Dony have asprin because my dad is allergic
the link audio51 posted looks exactly like mine except he can straighten his head anymore i dontthink he can eat anymore. and hes not able to stand anymore he will lay there abd his whole body will convulse now.
whats the most humane way of culling younger chicks?

I have seen a lot of methods described. Some make a poison gas, others put them into a zip lock bag and then into the freezer.

I am convinced that a pair of scissors, paper towels and a zip lock bag is the most humane way. It is hard to do but they really do not feel any more pain when the head is removed.

I am sorry you have to consider this. It is one part of pet ownership that is not pleasant for sure.

Focus on the good parts.