Might Start Breeding Silkies..

[4 Georgia Hens]

Howdy y’all!
I recently got a batch of 5 silkies. They are 5 weeks old now. I’ve been thinking about breeding them, but I have no knowledge or experience to help me!
I have 2 blue, 2 black, and 1 partridge. I started a thread a few days ago and learned that my blues are Hatchery mixes, because they have pink/red combs. One of my blue has a mega dark red comb, I believe he’s a cockerel. The other blue has a pink comb. I don’t plan to do this as a job (yet) but I really think it would be fun to give it a go in the future. Do y’all have ANY helpful tips or advice? Anything is welcome!

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Anyone?

 

[emmyn74]

Do the blacks have red Combs?

 

[emmyn74]

I would take the ones that look closest to the standard and use those as the breeders...I don't think I would use the ones with the red Combs...but people may not mind if they r just to be sold for pets or eggs..that would mean that you would have to put the ones you are breeding in a separate pen and then you can start saving eggs as soon as they start laying. Silkies are good sitters..that's what I mainly use mine for...though I breed them and sell as well.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Do the blacks have red Combs?

No.

 

[aart]

What's your goal?
SOP show birds?
Selling pet chicks?
One biggy is, what are you going to do with all the males?

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

What's your goal?
SOP show birds?
Selling pet chicks?
One biggy is, what are you going to do with all the males?

Pet chicks. I will probably sell the ones I don’t need.

 

[aart]

I will probably sell the ones I don’t need.

Extra males don't sell well...but they must be dealt with.

 

[The Moonshiner]

If you're just selling chicks cockerels would be sold with the pullets as straight run.
It'd be the next guys issue.

 

[aart]

If you're just selling chicks cockerels would be sold with the pullets as straight run.
It'd be the next guys issue.

That's true...silkies are hard to sex anyway.