Silkie saga

[TwoCrows]

I don't know what JetPack will fully grow into, but he's a bit... awkward looking. That face. he's just kinda goofy looking now I'm wondering if that is a face shape I want to carry on. But his mannerisms are so adorable
View attachment 3644361

Awww.... a face only mom could love?? I think he's adorable!! ❤ Let him mature yet, he's still growing and most likely will turn out to be a handsome gentleman! What a sweetheart!

 

[2ndTink]

Cappy Llama

 

[TwoCrows]

Cappy Llama
View attachment 3644540

Cappy is such a gorgeous gal!! I love her blue ears, like she's wearing earrings! Lay some beautiful eggs Cappy!

 

[2ndTink]

Well, no sale responses for Nu or Heavy, I may be ok with that even though I know I can't keep them all... I've also posted two cockerels from my hatch, one is the satin splash and one is the silkie with the red tips on its feathers. Only Chonkers had been crowing for the last week or so, but I caught the sait crowing this morning, and JetPack was sounding off too again. He would flap his wings before each crow which would throw him off balance so he'd be stumble walking as he crowed it was hilarious!

Here's my three crowers that I've busted so far, JetPack in the back, Chonkers on the right and the satin closest to me. There were a couple others flapping their wings at the same time as JetPack, I'm hoping they were just feeling their morning crumbles and not all cockerels



There has to be more than 4 cockerels out of the 16... but I'd be fine if there aren't!

 

[TwoCrows]

Well, no sale responses for Nu or Heavy, I may be ok with that even though I know I can't keep them all... I've also posted two cockerels from my hatch, one is the satin splash and one is the silkie with the red tips on its feathers. Only Chonkers had been crowing for the last week or so, but I caught the sait crowing this morning, and JetPack was sounding off too again. He would flap his wings before each crow which would throw him off balance so he'd be stumble walking as he crowed it was hilarious!

Here's my three crowers that I've busted so far, JetPack in the back, Chonkers on the right and the satin closest to me. There were a couple others flapping their wings at the same time as JetPack, I'm hoping they were just feeling their morning crumbles and not all cockerels

View attachment 3646550

There has to be more than 4 cockerels out of the 16... but I'd be fine if there aren't!

See, you are supposed to keep Nu!! "No takers mom, I get to stay! " Seriously though, I totally get it. Hopefully you can rehome the boys soon! 4 out of 16 is a fabulous ratio, usually it's the other way around...16 boys and 4 girls! Cockerels sure are fun when learning to crow. I will be keeping my fingers crossed you only have 4 boys.

Half way to weekend, hump day! Hopefully you make it to Friday in one piece!! ❤

 

[2ndTink]

See, you are supposed to keep Nu!! "No takers mom, I get to stay! " Seriously though, I totally get it. Hopefully you can rehome the boys soon! 4 out of 16 is a fabulous ratio, usually it's the other way around...16 boys and 4 girls! Cockerels sure are fun when learning to crow. I will be keeping my fingers crossed you only have 4 boys.

Half way to weekend, hump day! Hopefully you make it to Friday in one piece!! ❤

I would love a 4 to 12 ratio, but I'm assuming there are some more hiding that haven't had the urge to sing out yet. And, I can't blame them with the gusto that Chonkers has taken to crowing, that would intimidate any reasonable young cockerel.

I am keeping my eye on the one that looks all white, it may be a cockerel as well. I think two of the gimpy chicks are likely cockerels too, so that actually would bring the numbers to 7 to 9, which is more believable.

 

[TwoCrows]

I would love a 4 to 12 ratio, but I'm assuming there are some more hiding that haven't had the urge to sing out yet. And, I can't blame them with the gusto that Chonkers has taken to crowing, that would intimidate any reasonable young cockerel.

I am keeping my eye on the one that looks all white, it may be a cockerel as well. I think two of the gimpy chicks are likely cockerels too, so that actually would bring the numbers to 7 to 9, which is more believable.

You are probably right, they won't all mature at the same rate. 7 to 9 is probably a perfect guess! I've always hatched 75% boys, a study was done a while back with egg temps and changing the outcome of males to females. They did this on Leghorns, not sure if it works on other breeds, it seems like it should though. Anyway, eggs stored at cool temps around 40°F and then incubated hatched a higher ratio of females, eggs stored around 60°F or so and incubated hatched a higher ratio of males. I always wanted to try this, some say gender is neutral until incubation starts, others say it's predetermined. Feel free to give this a try!

 

[2ndTink]

You are probably right, they won't all mature at the same rate. 7 to 9 is probably a perfect guess! I've always hatched 75% boys, a study was done a while back with egg temps and changing the outcome of males to females. They did this on Leghorns, not sure if it works on other breeds, it seems like it should though. Anyway, eggs stored at cool temps around 40°F and then incubated hatched a higher ratio of females, eggs stored around 60°F or so and incubated hatched a higher ratio of males. I always wanted to try this, some say gender is neutral until incubation starts, others say it's predetermined. Feel free to give this a try!

Well, I wonder if my low temps in the incubator kept some of the males from developing or something? Not something I want to replicate though

 

[TwoCrows]

Well, I wonder if my low temps in the incubator kept some of the males from developing or something? Not something I want to replicate though

It will forever be a mystery. Hug those babies for me!!

 

[2ndTink]

It will forever be a mystery. Hug those babies for me!!

No hugs, I'm a ferocious warrior silkie!



Just kidding!