Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

The NOT Chicken (Silkie) “problem”

So, as everyone knows, I managed to procure two very fancy “reject” Silkies from the show barn that my DD was 1000% set on. (Shaking my head at the lengths parents go to make their kids dreams come true .) I am not certain by any means but I do have a strong suspicion Pebble is a boy. So, this leaves me in a pickle as I can’t rehome Pebble my daughter would be heartbroken.

Having listened to the sage advice of @Sylvester017, I came to the conclusion that I must get more girls somehow. Straight run was all I could find though and every single hatchery was sold out completely and they are the only ones that would guarantee sex. So I put myself on the waitlist for every color silkie they offered.

Today, was the day I got an Availability email AND I managed to actually nab some. They are from Meyer hatchery which is here in Ohio, they will be shipped at least they will not be going very far. It’s about 3.5 hrs away.

All this to say: 8 Silkie chicks will be shipped to us on the June 16th. All are supposedly guaranteed to be pullets. I ordered 4 Coukoo Silkies and 4 Blue Silkies.

You’re welcome Pebble - hope you’re pleased with yourself!
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How thrilling for Pebble. I know Cuckoo variety in other breeds are auto-sexing at hatch but not sure how sex can be guaranteed w/ Blue Silkie chicks... unless the hatchery does their own DNA testing? That's a first if a hatchery can guarantee SiLkie pullet chicks. I have heard great comments about Meyer & if other hatcheries don't start doing DNA testing on bantams Meyer will blow them all away

 

[Sylvester017]

Two noteworthy items to share:

First - When I was on Meyer website, I saw they sell a reasonably sized Marek’s vaccine that they ship nationwide. It’s 61.00 so definitely not cheap but it is at least available if anyone hatching wants it for their flock.

Second - Finally, they are roosting and going inside their coop at night without needing to be herded inside. Yay!! The Silkies were up there as well following their bigger flock mates up the ramp. They picked a spot right at the top of the ramp which makes it wider there to roost on. This is just fine by me! Close enough.

Silkies are an amazing different kind of chicken & once you figure how to handle all their quirks at your comfort level you'll never be w/o them again ~ adorably fluffy, smaller bird, less feed, good size bigger bantam egg, ours layed up to 6 yrs although chickens do lay less quantity each year, easy to handle especially if handled as chicks using treats like millet, finely chopped fresh spinach, or pomegranate arials, great foragers, don't fly out of the yard, very determined broodies (one of our broodies brought a cucumber slice into her nest to brood), & visitors afraid of chickens don't mind holding a Silkie & ask their parents to buy Silkies

 

[Sylvester017]

Twofer Tuesday View attachment 4133839

TWINS

 

[Sylvester017]

Twofer Tuesday
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Pretty feathers growing in

 

[featherhead007]

Silkies are an amazing different kind of chicken & once you figure how to handle all their quirks at your comfort level you'll never be w/o them again ~ adorably fluffy, smaller bird, less feed, good size bigger bantam egg, ours layed up to 6 yrs although chickens do lay less quantity each year, easy to handle especially if handled as chicks using treats like millet, finely chopped fresh spinach, or pomegranate arials, great foragers, don't fly out of the yard, very determined broodies (one of our broodies brought a cucumber slice into her nest to brood), & visitors afraid of chickens don't mind holding a Silkie & ask their parents to buy Silkies
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I only wish they were real chickens !

 

[Ponypoor]

Good morning everyone.

I have been silent and I am sorry. I have been mourning the loss of dear Owly since Friday morning. My brother hit her while leaving to go to work. I do not blame him, he was in as big of a wreck as I was. I also do not blame George anymore. Owly was a few days into being broody for the first time and had come off her nest. George was doing what roosters do and Owly was just running from him. I finally forgave George yesterday evening while sitting out back and he came and hopped up on my lap for his cuddles. It has been hard to even look at him since Friday. I guess in that moment it dawned on me that I came very close to loosing him as well. It was not malicious in his part of chasing her. I have saw it happen 1000 times when a broody hen comes off the nest that first week or so. Every one of my boys have done it in the past. They chase the girl for a few seconds and then stop when they realize she wants nothing to do with them.

Fly high my friend. You are with Grandma again and I'm sure she was thrilled to have you back.
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Oh I am so sorry Rebecca, these chooks are always getting into things.

I am sure she and your Gran are have a lovely time together.

I hope you and your brother are feeling better.

 

[Ponypoor]

The NOT Chicken (Silkie) “problem”

So, as everyone knows, I managed to procure two very fancy “reject” Silkies from the show barn that my DD was 1000% set on. (Shaking my head at the lengths parents go to make their kids dreams come true .) I am not certain by any means but I do have a strong suspicion Pebble is a boy. So, this leaves me in a pickle as I can’t rehome Pebble my daughter would be heartbroken.

Having listened to the sage advice of @Sylvester017, I came to the conclusion that I must get more girls somehow. Straight run was all I could find though and every single hatchery was sold out completely and they are the only ones that would guarantee sex. So I put myself on the waitlist for every color silkie they offered.

Today, was the day I got an Availability email AND I managed to actually nab some. They are from Meyer hatchery which is here in Ohio, they will be shipped at least they will not be going very far. It’s about 3.5 hrs away.

All this to say: 8 Silkie chicks will be shipped to us on the June 16th. All are supposedly guaranteed to be pullets. I ordered 4 Coukoo Silkies and 4 Blue Silkies.

You’re welcome Pebble - hope you’re pleased with yourself!
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What will you do if he’s a she??

 

[Sally PB]

Fly high and free, beautiful Owly!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Sylvester017]

I only wish they were real chickens !

Silkies are such a popular hot item for so many reasons & their popularity only keeps increasing. I've seen them as long ago as a 1970's fashion magazine, & just to name a few celebrities that have them are Paris Hilton & Tori Spelling, & there's no fear from people who are afraid of other larger assertive breeds ~ especially roosters that attack or chase. Silkies are the marshmallows of chicken gentility yet just as hardy as any chicken breed & they come in so many varieties.

They even watch TV like any other breed

 

[Sylvester017]

What will you do if he’s a she??

Wasn't someone commenting they were pretty certain the larger walnut comb confirmed him a boy?