Should I get a Silkie? :) Why or Why Not?

[sunnibunny99]

Hey

I saw there was another thread about someone who needs info on her new Silkies.... But I haven't bought one yet! So...

What do you think? Should I get a Silkie? Mom finally caved and said if i helped build a coop for it I could get one!

But I dont know yet.... It doesn't HAVE to be a Silkie... It can be any chicken....

So heres a few questions.... I also just need your feedback on them

# 1. Are they okay without any other chicks with them? (I'm homeschooled so i could probably spend ALOT of time with it)

# 2. Is there any kind of special food or water or something I need to give them besides normal chicken food?


#3. Is there any different way I need to care for them?



# 4. Should I get one???




Thanks for your help! Feel free to add anything you think i should know! I need to know everything about them!!

 

[sunnibunny99]

Oh yeah!

Do you give them baths or something? I saw a picture of a silkie after its bath....


Their "Fur" Is so different i dont know how to care for it and keep it beautiful.

 

[sunnibunny99]

Wow. I hope someone posts soon...

 

[fshinggrl]

I would never get just one chick. They need friends of their own kind. Good luck! What kind to get is a personal question.

eta: Give people time to respond.. you just posted this and you bumped it twice already!

 

[mrsgibber]

I would never get just one chicken. It's not fair to them. They need at least one buddy but really should have two in case you lose one to illness, etc.

I would recommend a silkie just for their sweet personalities and how adorable they are. But it really is a personal choice. I happen to love mine and will probably get more to add to my flock of six.

Good luck and please be sure to get whatever chicken you choose a buddy.

 

[vtsarahb]

You should get more than one, chickens like to have other chicken-friends. Silkies are a very calm and friendly breed (generally).

Chicken feed should be all they need, but you can give them treats too- they'll love you for it!

 

[Drivegirl54]

Yes, everyone needs a silkie!
However, you need to get more than 1. At least 2. Mine are on the regular chick starter with normal chick treats as I see fit. I handle them just like the rest of my girls and they do just fine. They get along great with my buff orps who tower over them, and they even tolerate my 2 year old pretty well. I don't give them any special treatment over my other chickens. Don't want to give them a complex

 

[sunnibunny99]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[lovemychix]

I had 2 and one died. She pals around with my Polish hen. They are quite the pair.

They are both seperated from my big girls. They are good size. I have a little sizzle that hangs out with the big girls but she's a little meanie.

My silkie really makes me happy. They are so cuddly. You have to have one or two.

 

[Redhead Hen]

I just got my first silkie and I love her!

Since you have other chickens, you could integrate the silkie into your existing flock. (But of course you could get a few silkies!

) But I would get two so that the one is not lonely. I only have 1, but she is with a d'Uccle and a Sebright. So she is not alone, but the lone silkie.

They are fluffy and super soft, so feather maintenance is a bit more than normal chickens. Especially if you are going to use them for 4H or shows. You can give them baths, but you need to make sure they are 100% dry so they don't get sick. You can do a search on here about baths and sikies. I have seen threads about silkie baths, but I can't remember where or how long ago.

My husband had silkies as a child and he said they were the most friendly chickens they owned. They had a pair - a white one and a black one. Those silkies lived in the coop with all the other chickens with also included Polish. They fared well with the other chickens. But he does remember the white one not staying white and showing dirt real well. Also - he did not show or breed these, that is why they were with the other chickens. If he was to show silkies he would have had them in a separate coop - like a movable tractor. All his chickens free ranged during the day too.

I don't think you need special water or food. Just make sure you feed the chick the starter and follow the directions on the bag for when to get the next step of feed.

Bottom line ~ get one (well two)! You will not be dissapointed!