First time chicken “mom”

[mystaas]

Hey guys! I have 5, 5-6 week old straight run bantams that were bought from TSC. I am a first time chicken raiser, so I’m fairly new with all of this. I’d like to know the breed of chicks I have, and also the gender if it can be sexed at this age. If I need to get more pictures, let me know and I can try my best. They aren’t overly photogenic

Chick #1

Chick #2

Chick #3

Chick #4

Chick #5

 

[FuzzyCritters]

#1: white silkie
#2 and #3: buff silkie
#4: black silkie
#5: blue partridge silkie

 

[viennaproto]

#1: white silkie
#2 and #3: buff silkie
#4: black silkie
#5: blue partridge silkie

Welcome to BYC and Congrats on your adorable little chicks! I agree with the above statement, all are silkies

 

[mystaas]

Thanks, that’s what I was leaning towards. I was getting a little concerned about them not developing feathers like our other 5 golden comets, but the more I read made me suspect they were silkies. I suppose it’s too early to tell if they are pullets or cockerels?

 

[Willawong Hill]

Silkies are especially tricky to tell early on unfortunately, you may need another 6 weeks or more to get an answer, but perhaps a guru on here will be able to give you a suggestion sooner.

 

[Ladybird CA]

Yes they are hard to tell at this age. Looks like you have white, red, and partridge silkies.

 

[mystaas]

Can anyone help me with any special considerations to raise the silkies? Sounds like they can sort of be high maintenance, and I want to make sure I am prepared. I had stumbled across a silkie thread, but I can’t seem to find it now.

 

[Willawong Hill]

I think as long as they have access to somewhere warm and dry out of the rain and lower perches as they don't fly well you should be right. Predator proofing is probably more important as they won't be able to get away as easily. This might be the thread you're thinking of: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/silkies-they’re-simply-spectacular.1334299/#post-21797229