I just added Silkies to my flock, a few questions...

[FarmerVal]

I broke down today and got two 3 week old Silkies. I was originally only going to get one, but the breeder convinced me into getting two

I brought them home and put them in the same brooder as my 3 week EEs and 4 week old RIR. At first they all were doing fine, all cuddled up and everything.

Then I started noticing the EE's pecking at the Silkies.

So I moved the Silkies to a brooder of their own.


These silkies are MUCH smaller than my 3 week EE's. They are even smaller than the EE's were at one week old. I know they are a tiny breed, but are they really supposed to be that much smaller? I'm wondering if the breeder told me the wrong age...? The black one is also significantly smaller than the white one.

My other question: Do silkies chirp A LOT? Seems like these guys aren't quiet unless they're sleeping. My others only chirp when they see you come in the room or when you put your hand in the brooder to pick them up.

 

[MuranoFarms]

That evil breeder!!! Talking you into those silkies! You should send them to me...I'll take em off your hands!

Seriously though, they are super cute! Yes, they are supposed to be that small. I'm glad you got 2, they'll sleep together when the others start perching. Silkies don't roost (well, most of them don't) they tend to sleep in a pile or a nest box. As for the chirping, could they be cold? Is their food small enough? They can't eat pellets yet, you may even have to grind up the crumbles a bit still.

 

[FarmerVal]

I'm so glad he talked me into the two, especially now since they have to be seperated until they grow a little bit more

They're not huddled right under the light, and they're not in the corner in the shade either. They have water and food. But all they do is chirp! Seems like the little black one is constant and the white one joins in frequently. The chirps don't sound panicked, just a constant chirping...

 

[12henfun]

i dont have an answer but wow are they cute!!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

A well bred Silkie is a slow grower. My daughter's show Silkies are more than seven months and still haven't laid yet. The oldest cockerel is over eight months and has been crowing for maybe a month now. If they were working birds I'd have put them in the pot by now, but these show birds have different rules.

.....Alan.

 

[riqui1]

My Silkies peeped INCESSANTLY after they hatched, from the minute that they hatched. It was cute, unless you were trying to sleep! lol As long as their water, food and lighting was good, I just considered them to be mouthy. I do want to throw in my two cents though and recommend that you put Poly-Vi-Sol in their water. I dealt with wry neck with a few of my Silkies and didn't have any problems with it after that was recommended to me!

Wait until they become "teenagers" with their feathers! They are soooo cute then, but so funny looking! lol Have fun!

 

[raimnel]

congrats on your cute little silkies, mine will be hatching thurs/fri next week

is that rusty colored one on the left of the 4th picture, the RIR?

I got some of them shipping to me May 10thish. That is a cutie

I didn't answer any of your question. sorry

 

[FarmerVal]

Thanks for all the feedback! I didn't realize how much smaller these guys would be! I swear the black one looks smaller than a newly hatched chick!

I showed DH a photo of what they'll look like when they grow up and I got the eye roll

I will admit that I do think they're pretty goofy looking once they get older. So goofy that it's cute

Seems like the black one has a bit of pasty butt. I cleaned him out this morning and he seems to look better. I need to stop by the feed store today and I'll see if they have any of that poly-vi-sol. Was this wry neck something they developed a little later, or is this something I'd be able to notice now?

And yes, that is my RIR! I have a feeling he's going to be a rooster. Which kind of stinks as he's my only RIR and I got him for eggs

Oh well the little guy is beautiful nonetheless!

 

[AHappychick]

wry neck happens from a lack of vitamin e and selenium. Sometimes chicks or chickens will not get enough and wry neck will happen. a lot of the starter feed is a little big for them, you can try grinding their feed up in a coffee grinder and see if that helps them.

 

[SilkieTime]

poly-vi-sol is a liquid vitamins and you want the one with out iron. You can get it at Walgreens or Wal-Mart. With out iron. Good luck