Question about Silkies

[Daidohead]

Do Silkies require any special care compared to standard sized chickens ? My DSO made the mistake of looking through a bunch of Silkie pics on BYC and got bit by the bug. Looks like there are going to be some silkies in our future. They would be treated as pets, no shows or breeding.

I am very interested in any thoughts and/or suggestions you may have, Thanks

 

[JenEric Farms]

If you have some with very large creasts/beards they aren't able to see very well which makes them more prone to predators. You can either trim the feathers or make sure they are protected. They can not fly at all which again makes them easier to be gotten by predators and more aggressive chickens. So you have to watch that they can get away if kept with other chickens that may be aggressive. I would definately keep them off muddy ground.

 

[Maureen&chickens]

We have one white silkie hen in with our mixed flock. We don't do anything special for her except maybe pat her extra as she's so soft and fluffy. When the run is muddy the feathers on her feet get filthy but she's always been good at fixing that herself.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

They like to sleep snuggled in puppy piles on the shavings/hay, as opposed to perching. And they do require extra hugging.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Not really any special care except being careful with their crest...Its very thin and if they are pecked hard enough it could be really bad

Lost one of my nice white roos that way when my polish girl pecked him hard on the top of the head. Otherwise they are WONDERFUL cuties and you guys are going to LOVE them. I have many and love all mine. They are VERY easy to pick up too as they can't see ya going for them

OH another thing...if you plan on free ranging them be sure to be out there by them. They can't see anything coming after them until it's too late.

 

[JenEric Farms]

Quote:
That's a good point...mine will not roost at all. So make sure they have a nice area, not under somone else's roost

, to sleep.

 

[Daidohead]

Thank you all for the info. I am thinkin that the silkies will have their own coop and run area. I would be constantly worried that the larger breeds would be picking on them. Any recomendations on how many Silkies it takes to make a happy flock ? Any recomendations for a breeder in Northern California ? I prefer young birds as I am not set up for eggs, or very young chicks. Thanks again.

 

[jen5680]

Quote:
I think Amber Waves is in California and if you plan on building a new place for them
double what you have in mind because once you have silkies you will have more
and more and more! LOL!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Read Amber Waves website before deciding to purchase from them. I would not purchase from that source. There are quite a few silkie breeders throughout California that are members of the American Silkie Bantam Club. I would recommend many of them. There are also breeders in Oregon and Washington State. Two silkies will be plenty happy together, not to say that you cannot easily and enjoyably add more, but as fw as two will easily work.

I have silkies in with large birds--I have never had a problem with the silkies being bullied. Actuallly it is more likely to be the silkies that are bullying.

 

[jen5680]

Quote:
Whats the 411 with Amber Waves? I have never bought from them, I just recalled
reading some were that they were in Cali. I guess i shouldn't be recomending people
that i dont' no. Sorry about that!