Free-range Silkies owner who buys eggs on eBay

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

We're in Wisconsin on two acres with 14 Silkie free-range chickens. Six are about a month old. I bought the eggs on eBay and a momma Silkie hen sat on them. That was my second time and successful both times.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! How many eggs did you purchase on ebay? I'm curious about your hatch rate.

 

[Debbie292d]

Both were different sellers and both sent an extra egg or two along. This time wasn't as good as it was 6 out of 8. One apparently wasn't fertilized and the other would have hatched in a day or two but she must've pushed it out.

The other time a year ago, was 12 out of 14. That time I don't recall what any issues were. If you want I'll go find the link to the lady in New York I bought these last ones from.

 

[N F C]

Congratulations on your Silkie hatches!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Those are great hatch rates for shipped eggs.

 

[janiedoe]

Both were different sellers and both sent an extra egg or two along. This time wasn't as good as it was 6 out of 8. One apparently wasn't fertilized and the other would have hatched in a day or two but she must've pushed it out.

The other time a year ago, was 12 out of 14. That time I don't recall what any issues were. If you want I'll go find the link to the lady in New York I bought these last ones from.

That is an amazing hatch rate for shipped eggs!
I don't keep silkies. As much as I'd like too, we have so much swampy weather here. I love my brahma, mixes, and langshan girls, but the feathered feet have to be cleaned regularly.
I'm afraid silkies wouldn't do too well with their silked feathers.

 

[Debbie292d]

I don't do anything about cleaning as the dew or the rain apparently keeps them clean as they always are. We let them out of the coop very early and the silly things will stay out in the rain provided there's no wind. Talk about "bad hair day" when a silkie chicken is wet!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens all silkie love rain it seems.
I had 4 that liked to dip their heads also .. lost them over the years raising new ones now

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to the BYC community.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC. I am surprised you are able to free range silkies. Due to their big crests obscuring their vision - they usually fall prey to hawk attacks or ground predators.