Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[Goober1201]

Does anyone have silkies? I thought that they were suppose to have walnut type combs for roosters. Can some one tell me if these are roos or hens. Thanks

 

[qball53]

I'd have to agree, though I have no experience with Anatolians, when next I get a LGD, it will be one. I loved my GP/lab mix girl and because of the mix, didn't have to deal with that long coat issues or heat intolerance. She was also ready made good with all animals/livestock..but I think I was very blessed with that and it may not always be the norm. I've known folks who have GPs that couldn't be broke from killing chickens but did wonderful with the sheep. Everything I've read about AS seems favorable and I wouldn't hesitate to get one, but I'd want to see the parents at work and how well they adapt to family social life before buying a pup.

Angela, my lamb did the same thing!!! It was so funny to watch him sneak up on the chickens and pounce.

We have two Anatolian sheperds and one in particular has taken to the chickens. She decided on her own she was meant to guard our chickens. We have a chicken area which is about 16 runs all enclosed in one structure. She insists in being out with her chickens come bedtime. The structure is in a pasture which contains a young longhorn bull and heifer. If that bull gets too close to the chickens Amber agressively confronts the bull. But if you open the run and let Amber out she will calmly walk by the bull with no confrontation. Our two Anatolians have wonderful no fuss coats. They do shed and blow their coat .... lots of hair if you have them in the house. But it does not require grooming. In fact these are the only dogs I have encountered that can run through a field of bur clover and the burs simply fall from their coats. Absoultly amazing animals, I highly recommend. Just rmember with any breed there are individual differences.

 

[fowlman01]

Does anyone have silkies? I thought that they were suppose to have walnut type combs for roosters. Can some one tell me if these are roos or hens. Thanks

They should have walnut combs and yes, they are males.

Walt

 

[Goober1201]

They should have walnut combs and yes, they are males.

Walt

I thought they should have walnut combs. So do you think these boys are mixed? and How do you know they are boys. Just so I know in the future.

Thanks

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Went to Odessa today to see Anatolian Shepherd puppies. They aren't as flashy as a Great Pyr., but are nice looking dogs, with very little coat to take care of. We picked a female, and will pick her up when she is 8 weeks old (2 weeks after h er 1st puppy shots). She will be too little to put with the goats (mean hussies that they are!), but we have 3 ducks that have "come home" from wherever they were taken. BJ says they are definitely Mimaw's mutt ducks. We filled a pool for them, and picked up some feed today. Maybe they will be a good start for the pup in case we don't have chickens by then.. We want her to guard poultry, and the man said to introduce her as soon as possible. One of the male ducks is quite pushy, so maybe he can hold his own with this pup. Hope so. Any other suggestions?

I hope y'all don't get tired of me!. I will be asking many questions, though I have already learned a lot from you guys. Thanks!

Brie

Brie, I think your mother-inlaw would be happy to have her grandchildren living in her home. She would also be thrilled that you are getting chickens for her coops! Sending you a PM with a friend's photo. Look him up at the Abilene show. He loves helping youth get started with quality birds.

 

[fowlman01]

I thought they should have walnut combs. So do you think these boys are mixed? and How do you know they are boys. Just so I know in the future.

Thanks

I can tell they are boys by their comb and wattle development. They are hatchery Silkies so there is no way to know what is in them. Do they have 5 toes?

Walt

 

[normanack]

Does anyone have silkies? I thought that they were suppose to have walnut type combs for roosters. Can some one tell me if these are roos or hens. Thanks

Y'all be careful around here. Someone Who Shall Not Be Named, But Whose Name Begins With Bee recommended using one of my silkies as a footwipe (she was joking! no worries! I think!).

I have some Silkies and they are special. Special as in SNL's Church Lady "special." Not sure they're actually chickens but I'm afraid to look under all that fluff. One of them might be a miniature Yeti. Mom says it's Cousin It.

 

[Back2MyRoots]

Yep, blood happens. Nothing to worry about. What is not normal is the double and triple yolks and though it seems fantastic now, this indicates a bird that may have reproductive issues later. Oft times you will see this in high production breeds, particularly as they age and everything starts to misfire a little.

She's a golden comet, so def. a high production breed. But this girl's been laying less than 6 weeks. Wonder if she will balance out or if she'll always lay all wonky? No plans to breed her though.

 

[Goober1201]

hahahahaaaa...

 

[Goober1201]

five toes? Well I think I'm gonna have to go catch me a chicken and get back to you on that one! lol