Partridge Silkies - Nothing else

[Hinotori]

Oh the boys love to play that.

I have 3 silkie/ameraucana or EE cross chicks I hatched this year. It's been several years since I had anything other than pure silkie chicks. They act so different. They are being raised by one of my friendliest silkie hens so they should be the same as the silkies a month older.

 

[Fancychooklady]

My silkies hatch and raise my other breeds. I have so many Wyandotte that think they are silkies. That’s not such a bad thing as Wyandotte tend to be a bit arrogant.

 

[theuncarvedblock]

This is our partridge silkie. Approximately 9 weeks. Any guesses on gender?

(We are hoping female - her name is currently Mishka.)

 

[Fancychooklady]

This is our partridge silkie. Approximately 9 weeks. Any guesses on gender?

(We are hoping female - her name is currently Mishka.)

Looking very much like a cockerel I’m afraid.

 

[Hinotori]

Looks male to me. Only males are that color

Females will be miniature adult color by that age

 

[theuncarvedblock]

Looking very much like a cockerel I’m afraid.

Looks male to me. Only males are that color

Females will be miniature adult color by that age

If it's a male, he's very timid! He frequently hides under one of the other chickens!

 

[Hinotori]

If it's a male, he's very timid! He frequently hides under one of the other chickens!

Most of my males that aren't from my breeding projects have been mama's boys until they matured. More cautious than the females.

 

[theuncarvedblock]

Most of my males that aren't from my breeding projects have been mama's boys until they matured. More cautious than the females.

I haven't had any roosters before... this may be a silly question, but what do I do if I end up with two?

 

[Hinotori]

I haven't had any roosters before... this may be a silly question, but what do I do if I end up with two?

If they grow up together and aren't separated, it should be just fine. Unless there are too few females. I've has no issues on ameraucanas or silkies.

I have a bachelor pen with just roosters. Three different ages in there, but the younger ones were added when they were around 12 weeks old and not seen as competition so there was never a problem.

Some small issues do arise when there are a lot of young males reaching maturity and trying to claim a higher spot in the pecking order. The oldest in there back each other up and work together to put them in their place without bullying. My hens react much more aggressively to the pecking order jockying.

Can't say that other roosters will do that, though. I've only kept my project roosters over the last couple years and they are all laid back and calm without being pushovers.

 

[Hinotori]

They are so cute when not soaking their heads