I'm so new to this whole breeding thing. I'm trying to get the basics down first, though, and that should start with building a coop. But I need to settle on an idea for how many birds I want in total. Here's the deal... We have a male right now that I'd like to breed. But having bad roosters in the past, I want to give him enough females to satisfy him and prevent him showing any 'tude. (To me or the ladies). My biggest fear is that he lashes out and I hate getting rid of or replacing animals to begin with. He has really grown on me. HOWEVER, we cannot support a ten-bird-flock or the like. That's far too many. I'm just happy my family has agreed to let me have this little project. I don't want to ask for more than considered. My dad thought that a trio would be cute but I had doubts right away. I just don't know if that's realistic. How do I hatch chicks when I have two Silkie girls? They barely lay to begin with. And I don't want to deal with possible over-mating. No, I said, that's not enough. I'd LIKE 6 girls. Last I heard, my family thought we were thinking of 4. But I prefer 6. I'm not familiar with the workings of Silkes as far as breeding goes. Previous owner said I might even have to use AI in the future. Mr. Roo has a pretty big crest (he has horrible vision) and has not showed any interest in mating yet. (He's 4 months.) I'd really like to hear thoughts.
I keep the silkies I am collecting eggs from in either pairs or trios. Otherwise they all get grouped together. You should be fine with 1 roo to 4 hens. You will have to hatch out their eggs with an incubator, cause once they sit they stop laying.
Yeah, 'bator's on the list. With hope, I'll have at least two that lay on similar days. Our current broodies aren't going to be be happy. I finally have a need for their gift and the birds they're covering are horrible layers. Ah well.