October Hatch-a-long 2022🎃🐣🍁

[LadiesAndJane]

Wow, yeah, seems like we’re facing a big of the same dilemma.
The thing about permits seems like a pain, seeing a bunch of lovely little well-bred fluff balls but not being able to get them because of distance/government restrictions is a pain.
A while ago I was looking at some lovely little silkies in Western Australia, big Pom-poms, good feathering, to breed standard, a little bit of leakage in some colours, (but that’s pretty common in Australia, it’s a real issue, and something I hope to improve upon with my own flock), but as WA is on the other side of the continent to me, the amount of time it would take to get to me, as well as the amount of damage sustained along the way, it just isn’t worth it. Hopefully the eggs I’ve ordered, being closer to me, will fare better.
Thats really lucky with your rooster, wow, 1/40 is insanely bad odds, but I suppose it is how it is with ordering shipped eggs

Yes I’ve gotten to the point where I did not even want to attempt hatching shipped eggs, but it is the only way to get the birds I want. Absolutely thrilled to have a 50% hatch rate after the last several attempts.

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

Yes I’ve gotten to the point where I did not even want to attempt hatching shipped eggs, but it is the only way to get the birds I want. Absolutely thrilled to have a 50% hatch rate after the last several attempts.

That’s great! Hope your good hatching rate continues.

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

Yes I’ve gotten to the point where I did not even want to attempt hatching shipped eggs, but it is the only way to get the birds I want. Absolutely thrilled to have a 50% hatch rate after the last several attempts.

Hey by the way, unrelated question, but I saw some of your chicks with leg bands on, I’ve been looking for some of those, do you know where you got them from?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Hey by the way, unrelated question, but I saw some of your chicks with leg bands on, I’ve been looking for some of those, do you know where you got them from?

I got them off Amazon, not sure if you have it over there. The brand is called Chicken Hill. They used to come in six colors now they only come in four. They do come in different sizes. I use the medium size for most chicks, even the Silkies. The small ones fit them for about a day.
They can wear them for about the first week or so, which is long enough for me to figure out which ones I’m keeping and which ones I’m selling. If I have older birds I need to be able to tell apart, I use the small colored zip ties.

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

I got them off Amazon, not sure if you have it over there. The brand is called Chicken Hill. They used to come in six colors now they only come in four. They do come in different sizes. I use the medium size for most chicks, even the Silkies. The small ones fit them for about a day.
They can wear them for about the first week or so, which is long enough for me to figure out which ones I’m keeping and which ones I’m selling. If I have older birds I need to be able to tell apart, I use the small colored zip ties.View attachment 3292837

Yeah we do have Amazon haha, what do you think we are, cavemen?
lol, thanks so much for the response and the tips. I’ll definitely check them out.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Yeah we do have Amazon haha, what do you think we are, cavemen?
lol, thanks so much for the response and the tips. I’ll definitely check them out.

No just wasn’t sure how all consuming Amazon and Jeff Bezos was in the world. I guess there’s a reason he’s one of the richest people in the world.

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

No just wasn’t sure how all consuming Amazon and Jeff Bezos was in the world. I guess there’s a reason he’s one of the richest people in the world.

Yeah haha, unfortunately true.
his reach has made it all the way down under lol

 

[I Like Turkeys]

Thanks!
Yes I’m trying to breed away from the vaulted skulls and don’t use birds with vaulted skulls in my breeding program. Despite this, about 20% of the chicks I hatch have the vault, so the genetics of the inheritance is complex.
I am breeding some birds with nice crests despite this. All of the birds in the following photos are non-vaulted. Some of these are quite young and have not developed their crests fully yet.
I don’t recommend Silkies housed with standard breeds in general, but especially chicks that hatch with the vaulted skull.
I will only sell these to folks who intend to have them as their only chickens or have other Silkies or bantams, due to the risk of traumatic head injury.View attachment 3292777View attachment 3292776View attachment 3292778View attachment 3292779View attachment 3292780View attachment 3292782View attachment 3292783

That’s really impressive that you breed silkies without the vault! It’s such a shame that it became widespread like how polishes are vaulted, but the crest level on your birds without it is amazing!

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

Just got the confirmation that my first lot of eggs has been posted!!!
they should arrive on Thursday, with, (hopefully) no broken eggs/minimum damages. Wish me luck!

 

[Obsessed With Silkies]

One of initially four chicks hatched yesterday under one of my broody silkies. I've discarded two quitters and I'm hoping the last one hatches. It seems like it has internally pipped over a day now but no progress. I'll probably have to keep mom with baby for a week until my incubator eggs hatch. Without further adieu, pictures!!!