Illinois...

[BReeder!]

So maybe some Spitz (Hoping for them chicks @homeschoolin momma. Sounds like I can convince @Faraday40 to hatch the eggs if needed ) and one Silkie (I can get a Silkie during chick days this Spring I bet and put it in the brooder with some Spring hatchlings of Spitz).

 

[homeschoolin momma]

So maybe some Spitz (Hoping for them chicks @homeschoolin momma. Sounds like I can convince @Faraday40 to hatch the eggs if needed ) and one Silkie (I can get a Silkie during chick days this Spring I bet and put it in the brooder with some Spring hatchlings of Spitz).

While I certainly don't mind hatching you some spitz chicks, you can get them from chick days at farm and fleet. That is where my new breeding couple came from this year. They are from cackle hatchery, and they are doing a lot to try to fix some of the defects in the standard for spitz. I will be getting more from there this spring as well. I really like the way my new roo and pullet look this year. The girls crest is a little poofy, but I think reasonable. Their spangling is gorgeous! But I can always hatch you some for free.

 

[BReeder!]

While I certainly don't mind hatching you some spitz chicks, you can get them from chick days at farm and fleet. That is where my new breeding couple came from this year. They are from cackle hatchery, and they are doing a lot to try to fix some of the defects in the standard for spitz. I will be getting more from there this spring as well. I really like the way my new roo and pullet look this year. The girls crest is a little poofy, but I think reasonable. Their spangling is gorgeous! But I can always hatch you some for free.

I don't need enough to qualify for an order usually. I think they require a minimum of 5 or 6 for an order. And I've never seen them at my local Farm and Fleet (Romeoville). Maybe they'll surprise me this year. Silkies they usually do stock in the bins, but not the Spitz for whatever reason.

 

[STACEYH]

I haven't personally owned Silkies. I have taken care of some. My step-son had a few. They were very sweet birds. I also do all the harvesting and had to deal with a few roos for him. Their meat is good. I did chicken and egg noodles turned out great.
You know you could clip wings on those Spitz.

 

[Molpet]

Aren't silkie effected by the cold due to their feathers?

 

[Justso]

I'm thinking about adding a few "pretty" chickens this Spring.
What's everybody's take on breeds like Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Silkie and Polish?
And is anybody planning on breeding/hatching any of these this Spring and willing to sell or barter for 2 or 3?
I can only keep hens longterm, but am willing to deal with roos myself or give them back if you want.

I acquired a gold lace Polish this summer, I love her! A bit skittish but I think most polish are.
She has beautiful blue legs.

 

[Justso]

Did I mention that my silkie is broody again?
She had a bunch of eggs under her yesterday. I marked them and put 'em back. No sense trying to stop her. She eventually always wins. Her "babies" that hatched in mid Sept are often sitting in the nest with her.

Our Spitz always comes back for treats. Training would be important if you want to let her free range.

Lol in this weather she's likely to hatch out popsicles.

 

[cavemanrich]

Aren't silkie effected by the cold due to their feathers?

You mean fur, and lite as well.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

You know you could clip wings on those Spitz

I do. Instead of flying to the upper branches, they fly to the lower branches. Very determined birds.

Aren't silkie effected by the cold due to their feathers?

Surprisingly, no. They are labelled as cold weather hardy.

 

[BReeder!]

Aren't silkie effected by the cold due to their feathers?

I did the google on this. I found this interesting page: https://silkie.org/silkies-in-the-ice-cold-and-wet-of-winter.html. Sounds like they are cold hardy down to "-9F for several weeks" even. The threat this article highlights is wet weather rather than cold, icy weather. It sounds like silkies' feather structure can become a wet mop and leach heat from their body - think wet dog or even a person with wet air in cool, rainy weather.