i'm in a big pickle :-o

[technodoll]

I set 11 white silkie eggs and 2 white sultan x white silkie (sulkies!) eggs under my broody orpington hen.

I'm keeping the sulkies, while all the silkies are already sold in advance.

They were due to hatch today... last night I had a flash: wait - how will I be able to tell the chicks apart since they will all look exactly the same???

I ran out to the coop late last night to get the sulkie eggs to put in the bator, which is on lockdown for other eggs anyways... and found the hatch in progress! Mama hen was guarding her babies ferociously - can't blame her - but I did check and one sulkie had already hatched, as well as 4 silkies

I guess my question is: how long until I can tell the sulkies from the silkies?

When do feathers grow in enough to see a difference?

I have to call my clients and explain the delay in delivering their chicks... sigh.

I'm such an eejit!

 

[bethandjoeync]

I am sorry, I am of no help. but I have to laugh! it took 3 weeks for this realization

I am sure you will figure it out soon. are they all going to be the same colors?

 

[Bantimna]

I don't think you will be able to tell them apart

But this is funny though

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! If nothing else, you should be able to tell at 3-ish days old by looking at the wing tips.
The crossed chicks should be regular feathered, not silkie feathered.
I bet they'll make cute chicks.
Good luck!

Lisa

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
Thank you Lisa!

I've never had (or seen) silkie chicks before so not sure what to look for in terms of first wing-feathering... but hopefully I'll be able to see something to set the sulkies apart!

 

[joe17]

silkies are slow and will look like newborns for weeks!!!

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
Oh! thank you, that helps! So in a few days I'll look for feather development on the wing tips and those that pop out should be the mixed silkies then...

Whew! I knew someone on BYC could help me with my pickle!

 

[Elphaba2140]

Hi-I got two sultan chicks with my last order. Yes the feathers will be harder but also they don't have black skin as a silkie would, right?

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
well they're sultans mixed with silkie so they might have dark skin... I'll go look under mama hen today, the babies are here!