SILKIE CHICKS! Requesting Info, pictures, etc.

[FarmerChick19]

Hi! I recently got two little silkie chicks, and have no idea about how they're going to turn out. I got them from an exhibition, but the seller was more than a litte unclear on whether they were bantams, what color their parents were, etc. Of course, it was my first time buying chicks, and I will be sure to press for further info next time, but for now, I'm looking to my fellow chicken owners for help.

FIrst question: Color. Is there any way to tell the color they are going to be? The chicks are yellow, but one has what looks like greyish spots amd the other looks like it has a reddish collar around its neck and back. Has anyone ever had this before? What did they turn out to look like? (Pictures would be appreciated greatly if possible)

Second question: Size. What is the difference in size between bantam silkies and standard silkies? Also, any temperment difference?

Third question: Shape. Is there a certain shape of crest silkies should have? Their toes? Their body? I will not be showing them by any means, but I want to know what to look for to see if they have a good bloodline and are healthy.

Fourth question: Gender! I've heard silkies are hard to sex. What are some thing to look for in young birds to give a clue?

Fifth question: Breeding. I've heard silkies get really broody, but how many eggs do they lay? What time of year? Do they make good mothers?

Sixth question: Well, not really a question, but I'm requesting photos. I want to know the possible colors, shapes, sizes, etc that silkies can have. Also, the difference between a full grown hen and a full grown rooster. Maybe some pictures of baby silkies. Anything is appreciated, really.

Thanks for any information, I appreciate it.

 

[hxgumdrop]

Hi! I recently got two little silkie chicks, and have no idea about how they're going to turn out. I got them from an exhibition, but the seller was more than a litte unclear on whether they were bantams, what color their parents were, etc. Of course, it was my first time buying chicks, and I will be sure to press for further info next time, but for now, I'm looking to my fellow chicken owners for help.

FIrst question: Color. Is there any way to tell the color they are going to be? The chicks are yellow, but one has what looks like greyish spots amd the other looks like it has a reddish collar around its neck and back. Has anyone ever had this before? What did they turn out to look like? (Pictures would be appreciated greatly if possible)

Second question: Size. What is the difference in size between bantam silkies and standard silkies? Also, any temperment difference?

Third question: Shape. Is there a certain shape of crest silkies should have? Their toes? Their body? I will not be showing them by any means, but I want to know what to look for to see if they have a good bloodline and are healthy.

Fourth question: Gender! I've heard silkies are hard to sex. What are some thing to look for in young birds to give a clue?

Fifth question: Breeding. I've heard silkies get really broody, but how many eggs do they lay? What time of year? Do they make good mothers?

Sixth question: Well, not really a question, but I'm requesting photos. I want to know the possible colors, shapes, sizes, etc that silkies can have. Also, the difference between a full grown hen and a full grown rooster. Maybe some pictures of baby silkies. Anything is appreciated, really.

Thanks for any information, I appreciate it.

I think silkies are bantams, thats what i was told when i got mine. Mine are white silkies so they started a yellowy colour but there are alot of different colours can u show a pic of that they look like now? Silkies are very docile in temprement and easy to handle as long as you do handle them regularly, if you dont they can be pretty jumpy and timid.
They are hard to sex but males get a big brain like cone growing on their heads, the fluff on the top swooshes back where as with a hen it goes up and is more rounded.
silkies lay roughly 3/4 eggs a week sometimes more on a good week but they do get broody really quickly, Sally is just 6months and has been laying for about a week and now shes broody and iv just given her two chicks to brood over. All hens slow down with laying over the winter as its colder and not enough sun light but u can cancle this out by placing a light in the coop over night or in the run to keep it brighter for a little longer and this will trick them into thinking its still day light and help them produce eggs.
Here are some pictures of mine ranging from a few days old up until yesterday, the third picture u can see the two roos looking at the camera and the two hens not this shows the difference in shape of the fluff ontop of their heads. The last photo isnt brilliant as it was very wet and muddy yday so Scrambles is a bit of a mess!

 

[FarmerChick19]

Thank you so much! I'm new to chickens, and this helped me a lot!

 

[hxgumdrop]

No problem just msg if you have any more questions Chickens will be your life now say good bye to what you new before!! :-D