* I never Had A Silkie Before And Now I Have 10. What Can I Expect? *

[MyraNC]

My Black little fuzzballs are almost 8 weeks old. What can I expect out of them once the weather gets warm and they are out in the yard? Should I keep just one rooster? Will they dig up my garden?

Right now they are the size that if I tied them to the end of a stick they would make a great 'dusters'. chuckle

Are they simular to regular chickens in their habits?

 

[coffeelady3]

You can expect everyone on here to ask for pics! (Where are they!!!)

 

[cherrychicken]

yes, they are like other chickens in their behaviors. They WILL dig up the garden, mark my words. As for the roosters, a rooster is usually happiest the more hens he has, but it is not necessary to keep only one. I have also noticed the relationship of my poofy chook (a polish) to a duster. The similarities of the two are uncanny.

 

[PurpleChicken]

You can expect them to take over your life and control of your body.

Sorry but you did ask.

 

[amyquilt]

Quote:

 

[danischi24]

They will go broody-often!
They will also being really dumb when it come to predators. They aren't as bad on a garden as normal chickens because the feathered feet & bantam size do have a slight impact on scratching. Mine were great & didn't scratch up anything but I'm just special. Wait & see how the roos react to each other-I always had like 5 at a time with a medium flock(15-20) because I never had the heart to get rid of them (after the 1st 3). Sometimes they fight & sometimes they are fine. Silkies are the best chickens in the world!

 

[joebryant]

Putting them on a stick and using them as feather dusters should be seriously considered. I think it would work, but it seems like it'd be easier to just hold them by their feet instead of using the stick.
Don't get them confused/upset or sneeze too loudly or they'll go broody on you. They like to be held and talked to; do it while you're dusting with them. Take pictures.

 

[MyraNC]

I got Black Silkies especially because they are small and I do NOT want them to be seen so easily by predators flying overhead. Do the hens or the roosters like being held most or is it about the same? Right now they all run from me when I come to see them or feed them.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Hens are more mellow and much smaller. The have fluffier heads
so work better as duster like Joe said.

Silkie roos can go either way. I've had friendly roos and I've
had roos that try and bite my feet off.

Handle them a lot and hand feed them oatmeal and other treats.

Try not to look into their eyes.

 

[ChickieWhickie]

Only 10? Silkies are like Lays potato chips, you can never have enough. You need to add white, buff, partridge, red, blue, grey, splash. You need a rainbow of colors running around in the yard.