Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[peepblessed]

Wrens are friendly little birds who prefer to nest in close proximity to humans. I put up small baskets under the eaves for them all around my carriage house.I also have some wooden houses for them to nest in. I've had one family of wrens here for 23 years. On very cold nights there will be 8-10 wrens in one box in my garage, all sleeping together to keep warm. Morning comes, and they get busy eating bugs.

Oh! I thought you had them locked in your coop.

You call your state department of agriculture. They should come out and test them for you. Mine was free but New York may not be. NH has a grant for it.


Nori is back to laying normally

Just looked because she was nesting and found a perfect little egg under her. Hoping she will collect a few and go broody. Should I just leave it in there for her to collect a clutch of them? Ice is also in there with her, I tried taking her out but Nori got upset her friend was leaving so I had to put her back.

Great news about, Nori!!! I never leave them in the nest. I wait until they are good and broodie. Use fake eggs or golf balls.

My Silkies eat stink bugs, they LOVE them! I collect them in a mason jar and dump them into their treat bowl every couple of days. They crunch them down dead or alive, which is a plus since my house is infested with them

Ewwwwww!

 

[littlecritters]

You call your state department of agriculture. They should come out and test them for you. Mine was free but New York may not be. NH has a grant for it. Nori is back to laying normally

Just looked because she was nesting and found a perfect little egg under her. Hoping she will collect a few and go broody. Should I just leave it in there for her to collect a clutch of them? Ice is also in there with her, I tried taking her out but Nori got upset her friend was leaving so I had to put her back.

Thanks Kayla and Sanna. Last fall I called NYS and learned there is one local testing clinic per year (in the summer) for 4Hers and folks wanting to show at the county fair. Otherwise, in order to get tested we must also become NPIP. I don't mind NPIP, but we are still building our flock and once we become NPIP than we can only purchase eggs or birds from other NPIP flocks. That us why I held off on getting certified NPIP.

Oh, that's right. The little guy/girl looks really nice. I called my state department of agriculture. Last year I called the state vet, she came out to test my birds when I took two birds to a fair. Here in Connecticut, there's no charge for them to come out. All you pay for is $1 per test/bird. And they send you the bill from the lab. Thanks!

My Silkies eat stink bugs, they LOVE them! I collect them in a mason jar and dump them into their treat bowl every couple of days. They crunch them down dead or alive, which is a plus since my house is infested with them

Thanks I might try that...

 

[PaintedFeathers]

Thanks Kayla and Sanna. Last fall I called NYS and learned there is one local testing clinic per year (in the summer) for 4Hers and folks wanting to show at the county fair. Otherwise, in order to get tested we must also become NPIP. I don't mind NPIP, but we are still building our flock and once we become NPIP than we can only purchase eggs or birds from other NPIP flocks. That us why I held off on getting certified NPIP.

Thanks I might try that...

I have found it's easy to find birds that are NPIP, all show breeders in my area have to be, it's required by the shows. I would think also you can keep any new NON NPIP birds seperate and have them tested before integrating? Here we renew yearly.

 

[Sanna]

I have found it's easy to find birds that are NPIP, all show breeders in my area have to be, it's required by the shows. I would think also you can keep any new NON NPIP birds seperate and have them tested before integrating? Here we renew yearly.

So, what is this NPIP thing anyway?

 

[delisha]

Quote: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publicati...ent/printable_version/npip_brochure_12-05.pdf

National Poultry Improvement Plan

 

[peepblessed]

Selling some self-blue chicks if anyone is interested.

I'm running out of shipping days. California is heating up
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/759218/self-blue-lavender-silkie-chicks-4-7-weeks-old-beautiful

 

[crystal10asee]

I just sent pm.

 

[peepblessed]

I just sent pm.

So sorry they are all sold.

 

[Sanna]

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publicati...ent/printable_version/npip_brochure_12-05.pdf

National Poultry Improvement Plan

Thanks!

So sorry they are all sold.

Too bad.

Then again, would they ever make it being shipped from California to Connecticut?? That's a long trip.

 

[crystal10asee]

So sorry they are all sold.

oh no! Well that's just my luck.I've been out buying feed and just now saw there pics. They are beautiful!!! Maybe if you have any more you'll keep me in mind.please! I've been drooling over everyone's silkies,dying for some of my own.thank you tho.