Well, we have plenty chickens, but I've just always wanted a Silkie! So I have a few concerns/questions about them! 1) Are they temperamental? How's their attitude? Can I hold them? 2) How big --or how many lbs-- to they weigh/get when adult size? 3) Are they egg layers? 4) Are they impossible to keep white? We have a couple of white chickens, and they are always dirty. 5) Our chickens are halses...they like to bully any newcomers ( including our hatched "babies" that just started crowing a week ago ) So, will the Silkie hold it's own, or will we need to keep it in the house or separate it until it's as big as they are ( full grown)? Any little extras or pictures you guys want to throw in would be most appreciated! One more thing, I saw a thread on here about a chicken born w/o eyes, and it touched my heart ( and broke it that so many people said to kill it), so is it a bad thing to look for misfits? I was thinking about getting a chick from the fair coming up, and I doubt they'd have something abnormal like that, but if I found a chick w/o a wing or something, should I go ahead and get it?
Quote:I seriously doubt you would find a bird with obvious deformaties at the fair. Unless you know that this specific fair has sale birds, do not expect them. Most regular poultry shows have a sales area, and even some of the brids being exhibited may be offered for sale after judging, but this is not always the case at fairs. Even if there are sale birds, they will probably have to stay for the duration that poultry are on exhibition. Just like people, every chicken has its own personality. GENERALLY, silkies are non-aggressive; those whose vision is not blocked are usually curious. Most like to be held; a few do not. Cocks weigh 36 oz, hens and cockerels 32 oz, and pullets 28 oz. Whites sunburn and stain easily. Protect younger/smaller birds from aggressive ones, regardless of the breed or size of either.
I have found since they don't look like a regular chicken, that the rest of the flock doesn't see them as threat... it's just a fuzzy thing that eats the same things. So far, no fighting, but it's only been a few months. Yes, they lay eggs, bantam size. When they aren't broody (HAH!) And they seem to hold their own. Go for it!!
We have a white silkie that hatched in May. We got her as a 'free rare bird' when we ordered other birds for the 4-H club. We love her! She stays pretty clean, her feathers on her feet get dirty though. My daughter gave her a bath before showing her at the 4-H county fair and she loved it. She's friendly to us and lets us hold her and she will sit on our lap. She's good with the other birds that we have in our coop too.
My Silkie was rarely handled before we got her, and other than running away (very slowly/clumsily at that) we catch her rather quickly. She puts up a fuss, but likes to be held once you get her. When you rub her head she nuzzles our legs. She's super sweet and hilarious to watch. We added her alone to a flock of five and NONE bothered her. I was shocked! They were confused as to what she was! My dogs were more interested in her than the other chickens! She doesn't seem to perch like the others, and doesn't manage the ramp all that well, but we love her. Definitely a joy to have around. I find she gets random food/twigs/anything stuck in her feathers though. She is best buds with my d'uccle
