ohio silkie breeders what are you feeding

[melleo]

I'm from ohio and in the process of getting a pair of silkies
I've been told that silkies need to be fed 30%
protein (game bird crumbles is close)
What are you feeding and what brand?
Thanks
Melia

 

[chickenshadow]

Are silkies from Ohio different from CT silkies?

I've never heard the 30% thing. We feed ours game bird starter, usually
Blue Seal. It's non medicated and I think 22% protein.

30% is used for game birds like Pheasants to fatten them up for the hunt.
Do you plan on hunting silkies? Can I come?

A regular chick starter is fine. Medicated or nonmedicated.

 

[melleo]

You know the only hunting I do is chocolate rabbits when in season and chocolate dove which is available year round lol
The reason I posted for Ohio is that every state has different feed brands and Blue Seal isn't available in ohio
Thanks for your info I feel better knowing that chicken starter will work
Can you recommend some good reading so I will be prepared for their arrival?
Have a great day!!
Melia

 

[conny63malies]

Hi

i am over in Youngstown right by the Pa border. I have two almost two week bantam silkie chicks along with the rest of the gang. I feed mine the regular 20% Dumor chick starter that i buy from TSC.It is unmedicated. They are doing just fine
I only hunt bargain which are in season year round and easter and halloween candy when they are in season.

 

[melleo]

Hi fellow ohio member
If the silkies are older say 3 years old and 5 months old do they need higher protien or do you feed them just like you do the laying hens?
I have 4 week old laying pullets and they seem easy to take care of and I'm wondering what special treatment the silkies need.
Any advice will be great!!!
Have a great day
Melia

 

[chickenshadow]

Quote:
Purina & Nutrena both have good reputations and are sold at feed stores like Blue
Seal is.

As for a reading suggestion just spend a couple hundred hours here. You'll learn
something.

Are you getting chicks or are they older? Do you have a brooder set up? Heat lamp?
Waterer? Pine shavings? Lots of silkie hugs and kisses?

I must warn you. There are many here that believe silkies are evil and can possess your
mind. Be careful.

 

[melleo]

Yes we do have Purina feeds here that's what our laying chicks are eating right now.
I think I probably racked up that many hours before I
joined the forum

I have learned so much from this forum
But these silkies have me a little nervous
I hear they are evil little buggers. What a challenge!!!

Melia

 

[chickenshadow]

Quote:
How old are the silkies you are getting? How old are your layer chicks?
Depending on age the silkies and layers can be together and eating the
same thing.

I feed all my chicks game bird starter (22% protein - non medicated) until they
reach around 8 weeks. Then they go in with the adults which get mostly layer
feed and anything else they will eat. This isn't the perfect setup but it works for me.

 

[melleo]

We have month old pullets (so they say I'm wondering about one of them though)
And will be getting a 5 month old (rooster) and 3 year old silkie(female)

Right now we're feeding Purina starter (medicated) but I'm planning on using their Sunfresh I think that's their all natural feed when the girls get older.

How old is the cutie in your picture??
Melia

 

[chickenshadow]

Quote:
Ohhhh 3 year old silkie. Dang it. They live that long?

She will eat the same layer feed you give your hens at 12 to 14 weeks of age.


That little flufferbutt in the pic is around 4 days there. She is 4 weeks now and
still lives in my kitchen with here 4 silkie siblings and 4 Buckeye cousins. Hey
isn't Ohio the Buckeye state? I have your chickens.