Silkie 'Grow-Along' Thread!

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I can't believe how big the six week old chicks look compared to Vanta!
Such beautiful photos!

Thankyou, they are great to photograph!

Yes, the size difference is quite big. They grow so quick! In another 3 weeks time I bet they are double the size

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Growth Update:

Both of the whites chick one (Pudding) and chick two (Porridge) are 8 weeks old now!

I have a feeling chick one is a female and chick two is male but still to early to know. Neither have comb development as of yet.

Chick one (Pudding):

Chick two (Porridge):

Which chick do you prefer? I can't decide which to keep. I'm leaning towards keeping chick two but I'm still unsure!

 

[drumstick diva]

Beautiful chicks, oh please keep both of them.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Beautiful chicks, oh keep both of them.

Thankyou, I wish I could!

 

[NNYchick]

If you are looking at showing/breeding and how they meet the standard it is strongly encouraged to grow them out until around 8 months to get the true potential of the bird, unless they have an obvious DQ. I don’t know the standard in UK, so I’m no help. If just for pet keep the one with the best temperament.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

If you are looking at showing/breeding and how they meet the standard it is strongly encouraged to grow them out until around 8 months to get the true potential of the bird, unless they have an obvious DQ. I don’t know the standard in UK, so I’m no help. If just for pet keep the one with the best temperament.

If I could keep them all till that age I would but unfortunately I only have room for two, possibly three at the very most. I can show them from 4 months of age in the pullet of the year classes. Usually by that age I can figure out how they will develop.

Out of 18 chicks, I narrowed them down to 5 which I liked the best and sold the rest. Picking the ones with the best foot feathering, crest size and shape and the hard feathers on the wings.

It's difficult to choose but when I'm on such a small scale I have to work with it

 

[NNYchick]

Well in 3 weeks I can participate with you. I drove 5 hrs to pick up silkie eggs for my broodies to hatch.

Well today is day 18, I have 13 of the 15 eggs developing nicely. I had 1 blood ring at 10 day candling and one that got damaged when my serama went broody and started fighting for eggs of her own. I ended up with 2 more broody than I started with so I have the eggs divided among 4 of them now. I plan to separate my little serama into a dog crate with her eggs because I don’t trust her not to get greedy when the chicks start hatching. Debating wether I should confine the 3 silkies as well or leave them in their own nest box.
If all goes well I should have chick pics this weekend

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Well today is day 18, I have 13 of the 15 eggs developing nicely. I had 1 blood ring at 10 day candling and one that got damaged when my serama went broody and started fighting for eggs of her own. I ended up with 2 more broody than I started with so I have the eggs divided among 4 of them now. I plan to separate my little serama into a dog crate with her eggs because I don’t trust her not to get greedy when the chicks start hatching. Debating wether I should confine the 3 silkies as well or leave them in their own nest box.
If all goes well I should have chick pics this weekend

Aw that's great that they'll be here soon!

Can't wait to see them!

Do you have an idea of what colours will hatch?

I've got pure whites and some Quail eggs due to hatch on the 19th!

 

[NNYchick]

They came from the breeder paint pen and partridge project pen. So a chance of white, black, paint and silver or gold partridge. I have a few blue and silver partridge grow outs that came from her lines I bought earlier this spring.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

They came from the breeder paint pen and partridge project pen. So a chance of white, black, paint and silver or gold partridge. I have a few blue and silver partridge grow outs that came from her lines I bought earlier this spring.

Oh nice! I'm sure whatever the colours they will be lovely