Silkie chicks, DNA feathers or blood?

[SophieandtheSilkies]

Hi,
Im in the uk but this seems like the most knowledgable place ive come across in my research as a soon to be new chicken mama so I hope its ok to join!

The school I work in have hatched 8 beautiful silkie chicks this year, ive fallen completely in love with them and will be homing any girls from the bunch (close neighbours mean its sadly impossible for me to have the boys, we have 5 roosters from last years hatch that we keep at school so im all to aware how noisy they are!)

Anyway to get to my actual question chicks are almost 3 weeks old and id like to dna test asap so i know how many chicks ill be bringing home when the time comes, however im not sure i can bring myslef to claw clip and was also worried about possible infection? Feather plucking seems less invasive but because of being silkies they just seem to be getting fluffier rather than actual feathers, can i still pluck?

Pics of the last 3 weeks for cuteness.

 

[Weeg]

Hi,
Im in the uk but this seems like the most knowledgable place ive come across in my research as a soon to be new chicken mama so I hope its ok to join!

The school I work in have hatched 8 beautiful silkie chicks this year, ive fallen completely in love with them and will be homing any girls from the bunch (close neighbours mean its sadly impossible for me to have the boys, we have 5 roosters from last years hatch that we keep at school so im all to aware how noisy they are!)

Anyway to get to my actual question chicks are almost 3 weeks old and id like to dna test asap so i know how many chicks ill be bringing home when the time comes, however im not sure i can bring myslef to claw clip and was also worried about possible infection? Feather plucking seems less invasive but because of being silkies they just seem to be getting fluffier rather than actual feathers, can i still pluck?

Pics of the last 3 weeks for cuteness.

What cuties!
I would go with feather plucking. I think it will be much less painful and invasive. Plucking a feather will only be a quick pinch.
Also, if you want to keep a rooster, you might be surprised by how many neighbors don't mind. Maybe head over to their houses, offer them half a dozen cookies, and ask if they mind if you have a roo? Maybe toss in a dozen eggs every now and then once they start laying. It never hurts to ask.

 

[SophieandtheSilkies]

Thank you, I can certainly ask I guess. I think a feather is the way forward to check, ill just be patient and wait until they get a few more, I dont think i could bring myself to clip a claw! Im currently spending a my time reading up everything I can and making sure im prepared for when they are bog enough to come home.

 

[Weeg]

Thank you, I can certainly ask I guess. I think a feather is the way forward to check, ill just be patient and wait until they get a few more, I dont think i could bring myself to clip a claw! Im currently spending a my time reading up everything I can and making sure im prepared for when they are bog enough to come home.

Definitely do, your neighbors may surprise you.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post a thread! Especially when building you're coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Plucking would be easier. You don't actually need "feathers" really, rather they're looking for the material at the root of the quill to test. Closely follow the instructions given from the company you're using, some may ask for a certain number of feathers, or that the feathers be pulled from a certain spot. The one I used suggested around 5 feathers I think, and suggested they be pulled from the chest, but your company may differ.

 

[SophieandtheSilkies]

Plucking would be easier. You don't actually need "feathers" really, rather they're looking for the material at the root of the quill to test. Closely follow the instructions given from the company you're using, some may ask for a certain number of feathers, or that the feathers be pulled from a certain spot. The one I used suggested around 5 feathers I think, and suggested they be pulled from the chest, but your company may differ.

Thank you, the company I was looking at says chest feathers too. Im going to give them another week to feather up abit more then pluck. Im very excited to find out which ones are girls!