can you all tell me about Silkie Chickens

[cat1994]

I want to use 4 Silkie hens as broodies to raise wyandotte chicks and call ducklings.
Are they good moms to ducklings?
Do they get messy easily?
Are they easy to tame?
Do I have to move the broody hen and eggs to her own lil house, even if it will just be her and 3 other silkie hens is a big coop and run?

Thanks to any one that helps

 

[cat1994]

come on no one has silkies, that cant be right

 

[joe17]

Quote:
Be patient! lol It has only been 20 minutes! I dont know how they are with ducklings but they do get messy especially with the feathered feet. They are the easiest chickens to tame that I have had! I would separate her to a broody house.

 

[cat1994]

Thank you and sorry

. Im just really exsited about this whole silkie thing and I want to learn more about them

I will try to be more patient next time

thanks

 

[boykin2010]

they are all that and they are messy

 

[Ibicella]

"Yes" to all the above.

Silkies are the classic choice for "pet" chickens because they enjoy human interaction in general. They are docile, cuddly, and friendly by nature. They have a strong motherly instinct and will tend to adopt anything. I don't find them too horrible at being messy, myself, but you do have to watch out for their feathered feet. Also keep in mind that their downy feathers can't repel rain and mud as well as the usual chicken feathers. So keep them dry.

As for keeping them together, you may or may not have a problem with the other hens. Personally, I move broodies and their eggs as a precautionary measure to give them some peace and quiet. You could set up a separate little pen WITHIN the coop to keep them all together but bar the other hens from bothering the broody if you end up having a problem with that.

 

[muddyhorse]

right now I have seven broodies. 3 silkies, 3 frizzles, and one new hampshire. It seems to me that some are more inclined to mother hood than others the blue frizzle has been broody since march.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92702

 

[aaron2000]

I went onto google and I found out that silkie chickens are the easiest chickens to tame. From what I've found out.

 

[prairiehen74369]

My silkies are better than an incubator this season one hatched three peacock eggs no problem she probably could have set on four( I'll try that next year.) Super good Mamas if you don't let them mother what they hatch out they will go back to setting. They do require a little special attention wet and cold are their enemy. Their downy feathers soak up water like a sponge.