Please help....Male or Female Silkie?

[Mymonkeymoos]

He seems to be a good boy so far.....just 3-5 crows once we let them out and that is pretty much it!

I have them on layers not growers pellets.....is this still ok for the little boy? Do I need to do anything particular for him?

Another daft question - will he grow spurs? What do I do about those if he does?

 

[Chickassan]

Layer isn't ideal for Cookie, flock raiser or grower would be better for his health. Yes he will grow spurs, you can clip the very tip off so they aren't sharp and won't hinder him or hurt the hens. I use a set of cat/dog nail clippers and only clip 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch depending on growth. If you do it fairly regularly it is much easier, if any bleeding happens apply corn starch and that will stop it.

 

[Mymonkeymoos]

Ah, thank you! Have a doggie so will use hers!

So I need to change his food then? How do i have one for him and another for the girls? Is there a food anyone can recommend that will suit my whole flock? So sorry for all these questions, just want to do my very best for them all

 

[chickendreams24]

Hi sorry to hear about Cookie. He's very adorable and silkies are generally excellent roosters.

As he continues to mature he will likely get deep red patched on his shoulders these are male specific.

As for his food layer isn't recommended for cockerals and roosters because the high calcium can build up in their system. Hens need calcium for egg shells.

An all flock or continuing to feed a grower feed with oyster shells on the side(in a different feeder for the hens) would be great for the whole flock. Cookie may peck at the oyster shell but will self regulate.

You didn't ask this but fertile chicken eggs are totally edible and as long as they're picked up daily you will never open an egg and find a baby chick. Fertile eggs also don't have a higher possiblity of having blood or meat spots in them.

None of my silkies have spurs that have become sharp so hopefully that will be the case for Cookie. Also because of the extra toes and feathered feet it can be hard to see them. If they become sharp or if you want to try and keep them short you can also dremmel them down gently but be careful not to get his leg feathers caught.

If his crowing becomes a problem you ca(but you get permission to keep him) or if you just don't want to disturb the neighbors you can make him a pen in the garage to sleep in at night. Usually if they're in complete dark they won't crow.

 

[Mymonkeymoos]

Hi sorry to hear about Cookie. He's very adorable and silkies are generally excellent roosters.

As he continues to mature he will likely get deep red patched on his shoulders these are male specific.

As for his food layer isn't recommended for cockerals and roosters because the high calcium can build up in their system. Hens need calcium for egg shells.

An all flock or continuing to feed a grower feed with oyster shells on the side(in a different feeder for the hens) would be great for the whole flock. Cookie may peck at the oyster shell but will self regulate.

You didn't ask this but fertile chicken eggs are totally edible and as long as they're picked up daily you will never open an egg and find a baby chick. Fertile eggs also don't have a higher possiblity of having blood or meat spots in them.

None of my silkies have spurs that have become sharp so hopefully that will be the case for Cookie. Also because of the extra toes and feathered feet it can be hard to see them. If they become sharp or if you want to try and keep them short you can also dremmel them down gently but be careful not to get his leg feathers caught.

If his crowing becomes a problem you ca(but you get permission to keep him) or if you just don't want to disturb the neighbors you can make him a pen in the garage to sleep in at night. Usually if they're in complete dark they won't crow.

Wow! Thank you so so much. Need to think about the food thing as literally just swapped them from growers to layers, and have a whole 25kg bag

Thank you for the advice re eggs - we have had the chickens since 5 weeks so I doubt the egg will touch the floor before one of the children scoops it out and wants to eat it! They check all the time but little do they know that we still have weeks and weeks til we get any yummy eggs.

Thank you also for the advice re spurs. Will see how they go, I have a little feel earlier and I think I can feel buds growing, so I guess just watch and wait. He does appear to have different colours coming through, he has a beautiful petrol green visible in his tail feathers and his wings appear to be darkening slightly too

Great advice about the dark stopping him from crowing. They sleep in an eglu cube so its dark inside. He doesn't make a peep until we let them out to play in the morning, so we are able to control that a bit. I think the world is ready to be awake by 7.30 so don't mind his crows (am going the neighbours wont either)

Thank you everyone for supporting me with this - I am very grateful X

 

[chickendreams24]

The layer feed won't hurt him short term go ahead and finish the bag. It's more when it's fed long term.

 

[Mymonkeymoos]

That is useful to know - thank you so so much

 

[chickendreams24]

You're very welcome.

 

[Mymonkeymoos]

Cookie has found his voice it would seem. 27 cockadoodledoos this morning, although the last 8 sounded like his batteries were wearing out!

He braces as he does it and all his neck feathers stand on end.....he isnt very loud currently and we all think he is super cute. Is he likely to get loud like a normal Roo? or is he likely to be slightly quieter as he is a silkie?

Sorry I am such high maintenance....just want to do my absolute best for my little boy and his boy x

 

[chickendreams24]

My silkies tend to be quieter since their bodies can't hold as much air. Bantams can be quite shrill though so its more of a wait and see in my opinion.