Silkie Help

[EggSighted4Life]

As far as eggs, that's really just a treat too, right?

Yes, they are treat. Their energy (calories) comes from 34% protein and 64% fat. The protein is *more* digestible if cooked. And half the protein is found in the yolk.

They have been used on occasion as a last ditch perk for a failing bird.. a raw yolk (it's easier to get liquids in I think, but their might be other reasons for raw) preferably from your own flock (presuming they aren't nutritionally delinquent)... all the nutrients needed to sustain a new hatched chick for up to 3 days while they are waiting for their mum to take them out of the nest in search of food and water. It's usually also highly palatable and easily digested.

Wetting your standard ration into mash is a great choice if your flock likes it!

I use Purina Flock Raisers or Nutrena All Flock.

These two are not the same IMO though both will meet the needs of the age and species specified on the feeding directions by law... and the Purina Flock Raiser is a superior product with regard to the nutrients I am looking for (protein and amino acids). I spent HOURS at the different feed stores reading different labels for days on end. Boy, that link that Kiki worked so hard on sure can save a ton of time!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feed-comparison-spreadsheet.1275920/

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I believe it is the same percentage as the all flock, I accidentally bought a bag. My go to gal at the feed store said it's fine temporarily through let's say winter but not advised to keep them on or long term.

An employee at TSC suggested Meatbird for my teeny tiny girl, but I'm going to stick with their usual feed and take the advice provided from all of you amazing folks. Thank you all so very much!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

An employee at TSC suggested Meatbird for my teeny tiny girl, but I'm going to stick with their usual feed and take the advice provided from all of you amazing folks. Thank you all so very much!

That's great. Best of luck, please let us know how she is doing!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

An employee at TSC suggested Meatbird for my teeny tiny girl, but I'm going to stick with their usual feed and take the advice provided from all of you amazing folks. Thank you all so very much!

It's always good to get second, third, or even fourth opinion... I have seen an employee tell someone if they don't feed their chicks "layer" they will die... And so many other awful pieces of advice. Though the meat bird suggestion isn't terrible, it isn't the wisest.

FWIW, (logistically speaking via my own reasonable deduction).. a chicken will eat to meet it's energy needs... aka calories regardless of nutrients whether those calories come from protein, fat, or carbs including fiber.

They do also however have a certain volume to fill that triggers the I'm full satiation.. this is taken into account by the feed manufacturers to get the correct energy and nutrient level into the correct volume of feed for healthy animals.

Protein and carbs being equal in energy and volume... 4 calories per gram... increasing caloric intake in the same feed volume would need added fat at 9 calories per gram...

Presuming you have taken care of or don't have internal or external parasites limiting your gals growth potential, and also that treats are not given in excess.. I would suspect that she IS at a HEALTHY weight and will continue to fill in throughout the next year when she reaches full maturity. While in the US we have only 1 size of recognized Silkies, that being bantam... in the UK, they have both bantam and standard. Too many folks aren't selecting for smaller size here in the US and some folks are even trying to breed "Giant" Silkies. I understand that they can seem so fragile and even tiny compared to flock mates, especially her male counterparts. That isn't the same as unhealthy or under weight. Getting a weight on her, and keeping track might help to ease (or confirm) your worry.

If you want to add extra nutrients without changing feed... consider an occasional supplement of Poultry Nutri Drench in the water. Or Rooster Booster (brand) Poultry Cell (product), if used I prefer mixed into a small amount of mash as it separates in the water.

One last comment... please remember no matter what a company calls their product they are all basically the same with varying amount of protein, calcium, and amino acids. Everything else is minor (except medicated). Layer, meat bird, starter, grower, all flock, breeder, flock raiser, finisher, broiler, blah blah blah... all confusing terms without much meaning as each company calls theirs' what they want.. to give consumers lots of choices. Most every other animal feed... cat, dog, game bird... all have caloric content printed on the bag. For some reason... chicken feed does not, that I have seen.

Ya, just food for thought.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hello again! I had my kitchen scales out to weigh one of my Easter Eggers that was sick and needed her weight to get accurate dosage for her meds. Today, before cleaning and putting the scales up, I decided to weigh my "teeny tiny to me" silkie Pullet. She is 17 weeks old and weighs 1.12lbs. Does this sound like a normal weight for a silkie pullet of this age?
@Kiki, @EggSighted4Life, @Mybackyardpeepers

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Dang that worked like a charm Thanks!

It's like a whole new world viewing BYC like that! I'm amazed and incredibly impressed

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Hello again! I had my kitchen scales out to weigh one of my Easter Eggers that was sick and needed her weight to get accurate dosage for her meds. Today, before cleaning and putting the scales up, I decided to weigh my "teeny tiny to me" silkie Pullet. She is 17 weeks old and weighs 1.12lbs. Does this sound like a normal weight for a silkie pullet of this age?

I never weight mine unless they went to the vet. How is she eating? Acting normal? I can look back at my silkie vet records tomorrow see what his weight and age was.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I never weight mine unless they went to the vet. How is she eating? Acting normal? I can look back at my silkie vet records tomorrow see what his weight and age was.

Yes, she does seem ok, but I just about lost one of the other girls in her flock, so now I'm even more worried. Maybe it's not the case, but I worry since she is so small, it wouldn't take much of anything (illness, worms, mites, anything that can be deadly) to be really bad for her. I think I know what to look for as far as signs and symptoms like my Easter Egger had, but I am just a self proclaimed annoying worry wort

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Yes, she does seem ok, but I just about lost one of the other girls in her flock, so now I'm even more worried. Maybe it's not the case, but I worry since she is so small, it wouldn't take much of anything (illness, worms, mites, anything that can be deadly) to be really bad for her. I think I know what to look for as far as signs and symptoms like my Easter Egger had, but I am just a self proclaimed annoying worry wort

You are not alone, I still worry about everyone in my flock too. I have lost week old chicks, I am dealing with 3 separate issues at this very moment. We are human and worriers by nature.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

You are not alone, I still worry about everyone in my flock too. I have lost week old chicks, I am dealing with 3 separate issues at this very moment. We are human and worriers by nature.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Please know that I am sending you lots of virtual hugs and keeping you in my thoughts. I am still upset with myself for getting very attached. I am so grateful for the folks here that figured out what the probable cause was (they were spot on!) and what treatment was necessary, in time to save my girl. I honestly don't think she would have made it through the night without the assistance and direction from them. She rejoined her flock today and I'll be keeping a close eye on her for a while, and throughout the rest of her treatment. I am worried for the rest of the flock, especially the little silkie, Bella. I haven't noticed any signs or symptoms from anyone else, but that infection is a fast and nasty one! The ladies that helped me are literal life savers!