Purchased frizzles

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

Bit of an update. Since I purchased some weaker silkies and had two die, I decided to find some chicks in my area. I was able to get some frizzle bantam chicks that are already a week old.

I’m not familiar with this breed, but they’re so much smaller than the other bantam chicks I’ve raised. Very tiny heads.

This is their hen:

And this is their cockerel:

Turns out these chicks are troubled youths, product of a scandalous love affair:

The chicks are very skittish right now and get extremely stressed out by my presence. My silkie chick and them do not get along either. I’m sure it’s just a pecking order situation, but I tend to worry. I’ve been introducing them every so often and they sleep in different brooders.

The last time they rejected her and ran, my silkie had a peculiar reaction. She’s always making noise, but she became completely silent. Then she closed her eyes and stood still. I went to pick her up and she silently slept in my hand.
I can’t tell if she’s down, trying to appear less threatening, or content.

My plan with the chicks is to keep feeding them with the hope of them trusting their food source. I’m not sure if I should hold them, as to not stress them out.

One chick looks to be male. I only want to breed him with my oldest hen, maybe my silkie, and then give him away.
I hope I can raise him to have a good temper. It’s a pain to go through roosters.

My remaining silkie is doing very well too. After her visit to the vet, she’s really grown. Her legs are finally not thin and unable to be stood on. The frizzle legs are extremely thick, so they don’t have that issue although they’re so tiny.

She says: “Farewell”

 

[All4Eggz]

The chicks are very skittish right now and get extremely stressed out by my presence. My silkie chick and them do not get along either. I’m sure it’s just a pecking order situation, but I tend to worry. I’ve been introducing them every so often and they sleep in different brooders.

Handle them more often, and they will likely learn to trust you more. Introduce the chicks to each other for extended periods of time, they shouldn't really be able to hurt each other at this age.

I’m not sure if I should hold them, as to not stress them out.

Handling them is a good idea. They will get more used to you and likely more friendly in general.

One chick looks to be male. I only want to breed him with my oldest hen, maybe my silkie, and then give him away.
I hope I can raise him to have a good temper. It’s a pain to go through roosters.

You can't know gender for sure at this age. Especially with silkies. Update in a couple of months and we will try to help you sex them

She says: “Farewell”

SO cute!! All your chicks are adorable Please keep us updated, it's so eggciting!

 

[oO_Angela_Oo]

Agree with all of the above… lots of lovins and they will love you back!

 

[Ribh]

Frizzles don't regulate their body temp as well as other breeds & they shouldn't ever be allowed to stay soaking wet. Just be aware. Mine moult twice a year too. Also I will go against the trend & say don't handle. You can put your hand down & let them step onto you but their feathers are not as robust as other breeds. Their dad looks to be a Jap. They are a true bantam & absolutely tiny. Do not mate frizzle to frizzle. You will get a sizzle & not only does that create a lot of issues it is extremely unkind to the chickens.

 

[Callender Girl]

One of my Cochin Bantams is a red frizzle that I "bought" from a friend who was downsizing. Initially, I didn't want her; she was thrown into a deal I was making for two other chickens.

My concern was that I'd been told frizzles don't do well in cold climates. My friend assured me that Gabby had no problems in her first winter, and I can attest that she has done fine in subsequent winters in an unheated coop even when actual temps were in double digits below zero last year. I do agree that they shouldn't be allowed to stay soaking wet.

Sorry your silkie isn't as enchanted with frizzles as I am. Hope they work it out.

BTW, Gabby has a completely unique voice. Imagine if Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh spoke chicken. Gabs always sounds like she's complaining about something -- but it's adorable! And who can resist that feather-duster look?

 

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

Sorry for the long delay! Here’s an update on the frizzles : -)

They’re still very tiny, but bigger and beautiful. Their feathers are gorgeous!

My Silkie is getting bigger than my oldest bantam hen, so she’s always trying to start a fight. Sometimes she tries putting me in my place lol.

The frizzles are absolutely obsessed with her. I only refer to it as a her first convenience sake btw. Since she’s always been bigger than them, I guess she’s filled a unique kind of mother figure to them. They’re always underneath her. I haven’t seen a flock so physically intimate and tight knit before, it’s a good laugh : -)

All in all, everyone is doing well <3
I’ve been very busy with classes and other things, so I haven’t had the time to post as frequently as before. Everything is fine though. Only trouble is that these chicks don’t seem to like my oldest hen at all, and panic when they’re separated. My oldest is independent and tries hanging out with them. The Silkie doesn’t let up on starting fights though, so that’s something I gotta work on.
Thanks for still being interested!

 

[Callender Girl]

Great photos and lovely birds!