Silkie Genes Come Out Strong In Grandchicks.

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

I have 3 chickens from last years hatch, the boys are full siblings, the hen is a half sibling. Daddy was a black silkie to all 3. Then we have a little black bantie that we got from Tractor Supply last year. This year because of my health, I re-homed 14 of my hens, and just kept the 4 that hatched last year. I did not want the siblings to breed, so I made sure I gathered the eggs the half sister laid. The end of May, the little bantie went broody under the stairs of our deck. I went out on our deck 20 days later to find a little chick who had passed. I first thought it was a mole, till I saw the feet. So I crawled under the deck, and heard peeping. It took me most of the day, but I was able to gather 4 chicks, one eggs never hatched out & one eggs was a shell less eggs, no chick.

Either of the Brothers could be the Father of these chicks, All were born black, but one had yellow markings & yellow feet (Grandma was a Buff Orp). Here we are just over a month later, three have the smooth feathers of their Bantie Momma, all have feathered feet, like their Father's & Grandfather & Bantie Momma. But then there is Puffles, Silkie feathers all the way. 2 have combs like Momma, and two have the rose comb. And two have black eyes like their Grandpa silkie. Puffles is the largest of the 4 chicks, has been since hatching. Am worried he is a Roo, and I do not want another Roo. They are still in the ugly stage right now.