Need advice/suggestions on what to do with Silkies...

[WindRunner]

Are the pellets layer, or an all flock?

We are all here to learn.

Layer. No problem on the questions. I am learning so much from this conversation! I appreciate it.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Layer. No problem on the questions. I am learning so much from this conversation! I appreciate it.

Layer isn't good for roosters. It causes long term kidney damage if fed as a main diet.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Poppy’s luck includes: Loudest, constant crowing roosters, derpy breeds, weird chickens that stalk eachother.

If I could, I'd send you some eggs from my birds.

 

[WindRunner]

Layer isn't good for roosters. It causes long term kidney damage if fed as a main diet.

That's good to know. I will remember that.

 

[MysteryChicken]

That's good to know. I will remember that.

You're welcome.

 

[Cloverr39]

I have included an image of each. I've had them for a week or so. Two of them will crow like crazy, the other one I have never heard more than a cackle from. I assumed it was a hen. The first image of the "red" one was attacked by the other two before we got them. Since we have increased their area a lot, they don't bully it, anymore and the damaged part on the back of its head is healing quickly. The white one with the larger comb also crows. The last image with the flatter comb, I think, is a hen. They are all beautiful birds.

The last one is definitely a rooster. You can tell by the streamers (longer feathers that sick out of the crest) and the comb. The comb is way too big to be a hen. Maybe he doesn't crow because he's lowest in the pecking order. The "red" one looks more like a buff color to me.

And you're right, they're very beautiful birds!

 

[myluckychucks]

Hello, all. I was given two cockerels and a hen by a relative who found out we were looking for chickens. Our intention (which they weren't aware of) was to raise chickens for meat and eggs. We found out the chickens were Silkies and not particularly great as egg-layers since the eggs were small and not great for meat as they are small chickens.
After a lot of research, we decided to get 10 Barred Rock. We have received them yesterday and all is well.
When we heard the relatives had chickens, we hadn't built/bought a coop, so we rushed to get something to hold them until we built the main coop.

My question is what to do with the Silkies. Understand that we are new to raising chickens, so it's possible they would have a special fit into our flock of Rocks.

I would probably be able to rehome them, but I didn't want to be too rash. I had heard that Silkie hens were excellent brooders while Rocks could be not so great. If keeping them to sit on eggs to hatch would be worth the feed and management, then perhaps I should integrate them into my Rocks. However, if they wouldn't be a match, I would try to find a new home for them.

I will add that when we got the Silkies, they had been crammed together in a small cage for several days and is what prompted us to hurry and build a coop asap. I think they are about 2.5 months old. Since receiving them and completing the main coop, they have really filled out, look healthier, and seem very happy where they are.

I'm just not sure I want to keep them if they do not earn the expense of raising them. I have included some images: first of the quick coop we built, and the second a picture of the Silkies.

Any suggestions?

I find Silkies to be valuable just for hatching chicks if nothing else. They don't eat much, are just as cold tolerant as most other birds and integrate well in to a mixed flock. Unfortunately I think, looking at your pics of the 2 white birds, that they are both roosters.