Malthus
In the Brooder
Hard say the age but they aren't laying yet. I'm building the coop now and it should be done in a few days.
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I think @Faraday40 and homeschooling momma are more versed on the silkies. Typically these little buggers are tougher than we give credit for. Have any pictures of them? Might help.Hard say the age but they aren't laying yet. I'm building the coop now and it should be done in a few days.
How many white ones did you get?I will add that they are very fresh & fertile. I got 100% hatch.
Phoe's mom (@homeschoolin momma 's cuddly little hen) is our splash silkie - named Xansie.
Xansie is beyond spoiled. She has traveled with us, gets "spa days" where she may end up with painted nails or dyed pink, goes to the park, and has been in a few parades. She also visits schools, so most of the kids in town know her by name.
Speaking of spoiled. DD's silkie (& her little serama rooster) are both in the house at the moment. The serama rooster always sleeps in DD's room but when the weather is above freezing, he goes outside to visit the bantam hens.
If you have a female silkie, she will have a very rounded crest like this:
View attachment 2126365
Males get 'streamers' (longer hairlike crest) and may have darker shoulders. They stand more upright while females have a more rounded stance.
My silkies can stand the cold but they have Orpingtons to keep them warm.
Welcome Malthus!Hard say the age but they aren't laying yet. I'm building the coop now and it should be done in a few days.
I'll start collecting quail eggs. Next Sunday, May 17, is likely the best day for me to meet. I should have a good amount of eggs by then. I'll try to keep them in the best conditions I can. I might have some quail egg foam laying around to keep them upright. I'll keep them in the den where it's slightly cooler (mid-60s) and a bit humid thanks to the aquarium.How old are the chicks? The 2 I gave you are 5 weeks. They're old enough to go outside if you can give them a heating pad. It might be worth the extension cord to get them out of the house. (Garage brooder? Another option to get them out) By 6 weeks, they should be OK with a huddle house. Basically a box in which they may cuddle & hold a bit of body heat.
Culling is hard. (Well perhaps A'hole won't be too hard for you.) There is probably a decent market right now for people wanting hens. A new home might be better for the hens as well as your fingers and conscience. Part of the reason I like selling chicks is seeing how happy families are with their new birds and then getting updates as they grow up. Many people want guaranteed females but having a hen already laying and in good health will give eggs right away without the 6-9 month wait.
If you don't mind collecting more quail eggs, I'd be happy to slip you a turkey. The quail are laying 0-2 eggs per day. The lonely only quail chick died, so I set another 9 eggs. Only 3 developed. They will go into lockdown today.