Got silkies...they're very thin!

[perolane]

Picked up 3 silkies yesterday....they are appx. 5 months old. I've never had silkies before, but I really like their personalities!! Knowing how hard they are to sex until they're mature...one has a more pronounced comb than the other 2 so I hope I have a roo & 2 pullets.

Under the fluff, they seem very thin to me...the breast bone is very pronounced. Is this normal for this breed & age??


Pat

 

[vfem]

They sound a little thin to me, and at 5 months old you should be able to tell the sex much easier then if they were actually still chicks. I would get them some scratch to add along with their feed to fatten 'em up a bit. The only time I ever feel the breast bone on my silkies is when they have been broody and sitting on eggs. They only stop to eating eating breaks once a day then... and happen to lose quite a bit of weight. They shouldn't before they are laying age... and at 5 months old they are coming up on laying age!

 

[perolane]

Well I thought so, but never having had them before...you never know.

After handling them today, the poor things are nothing but fluff & bones!! I put a large pan out when we got home yesterday filled with chick starter/grower mash , free choice scratch, & some garden greens....and a big waterer with fresh water & electrolyte powder. They seemed very hungry...attacked everything like they'd never eaten before!! They seem content & happy now 24 hours later! We cut hay two days ago & I put a large pile of it in with them today. They're rooting around in it like pigs in mud...just chirping away!!

I think they were very overcrowded where they came from...couldn't take a step without tripping on a chicken! Perhaps these younger ones didn't have much of a chance at feeding time. I think they'll like it here

 

[oldhen514]

I had 5 silkies, 5 barnevelders, 2 polish and 2 banties. I loved the silkies. Last week a fox got in and killed 4 silkies and 1 barney. Made me so sad. I wouldn't have known it was a fox because it carried them away but my neighbor saw it kill one of his banties.My silkies seemed thin too, I think they were about 5 mos. old. I feed them a good variety but they never did put on much weight. The barnies are getting big and are delightful. Banties are too cute. The buff polish are a pair. The rooster is very aggressive and mean to the other chickens. Is it best to keep them separate? I am thinking of isolating him until I want some eggs fertilized for hatching. I intend to get some more silkies so my lone one will have some buddies.

 

[perolane]

Sorry for your loss oldhen

 

[SunshineSilkies]

Check them and make sure that they don't have mites. That could be a reason for not putting on weight also. This time of year is terrible for those pesky little buggers!!

 

[perolane]

Thanks sunshinesilkies.....mite check & baths if needed were on my list today...I got side tracked with company but will get to it in the morning!

 

[perolane]

No mites...but they all got a bath anyway!!

I am starting to think that they are younger than the 4-5 months I was told. Large wing feathers & foot feathering seem to just be coming in...most still wax-wrapped. Any ideas on age???

I know how old my chickens are but never could guess age on others, especially breeds that I'm not familiar with.

Oh...they are eating like crazy!!!!

 

[SilkieTime]

I'm glad they have a new home. If you get pictures we could help.

 

[tinychicky]

my silkieis relativly thin compared to some others, but i always thought it was cause he's "head rooster" and let the others all eat before him

make sure they have plenty of feed available, and check them all for mites.