How big to silkies get?

[Poultrybonkers]

If mine are as big as they get I'll be disappointed. mine are this big right now
http://juliafan23.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=129092594
do they get bigger?

 

[Debbi]

Can't tell how big or small yours is without something next to it for a size comparison.

Silkies in this country are Bantams. According to the American Silkie Bantam Club, the birds should weigh as follows:

Feather Legged Bantams -
Weights: Cock 36 oz. Cockerel 32 oz.
Hen 32 oz. Pullet 28 oz.

Check out the SOP for the breed here:

http://www.americansilkiebantamclub.org/standard.asp

 

[FireTigeris]

They are a 'true bantam breed' meaning the males get 2 something 3 pounds and the girls not even that. That's what you got when you wanted a Silkie.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

I thought silkies can't be considered a true bantam, as they do have standard sized silkies over seas...

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Panda, your Roo in your link pic looks close to mature, so I'd say they aren't going to get much bigger.

 

[StupidBird]

oh, so this is where I ask, CAN I breed up some giant silkies? And given just how addictive these little aliens are, SHOULD I even consider it?

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Quote:
some are breeding for larger silkies. There are actually very few standard size silkies in the US - VERY few of them however. They aren't common overseas either.

If I would do it, there are two ways... Select over sized adult birds to breed together for multiple generations, only breeding the largest best quality birds. You do not want to lose your standards (good foot feathering, crest, and toes) to achieve the size. You still want a good silkie as a large breed. secondly if just for fun for yourself - AI (artificially inseminate) a male silkie over giant cochin hens, and breed those offspring together and AI the best top hatted and 5 toed offspring with a great silkie roo again...the offspring will mostly be silkied. - keep breeding the better qualities and larger birds together. either way you'd be looking at a 5 year + project to get decently large and decent "silkie" looking birds.

 

[StupidBird]

Thanks! that is out of my league, was mainly curious.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

How can they be good brooders when they can fit only an egg under them! I can pick them up with on hand!
here a vid with a leghorn hen in it their tiny!!

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
ive had silkies hatch up to 12 babies at one time