Silkie thread!

[Sonoran Silkies]

Hi Silkie breeders and enthusiasts I could use a bit of help with my first chickens...
I have two partridge silkies that were hatched Oct. 17, 2011...making them 25 weeks old. they are very close in size and weight and way of moving around and standing. One is bearded and the other not. I cannot detect any difference between their crests. They came in a "pullet only" order from My Pet Chicken with 4 EEs and a couple of Welsummers and all get along with each other just fine and all roost shoulder to shoulder on the top roost at night. ( I'm thinking they don't know what Silkies are and aren't supposed to be able to do.)
One of the EEs started laying three weeks ago and I believe her increased noise and stimulation has encouraged the rest of the flock to mature faster. I'm noticing everyone's combs and wattles growing and coloring up.
The non bearded Silkie is WAY MORE vocal than the other although I wouldn't call her noise a crowing but almost daily she starts her loud calling and goes on for almost a minute. She doesn't exhibit any other behaviors that you'd expect from a rooster protecting his harem, at least non I've observed.
I am concerned I have a rooster...I live in the city and roos aren't allowed.
I need to know about what age I'd expect to see mating behavior. None of the other hens have any indication they have been mounted with broken back feathers or scratches.
Sounds a bit paranoid I guess but they have stolen my heart and I wouldn't want to have to re-home any of them.
Thanks for any help you can give.
NC ChickenKate

Post photos and we'll give you our best opinions.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

oops--double post

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Okay-- for anyone that shows Silkies-- we need to know this and I've googled and can't find this. Do Silkies have an Axel feather in each wing? When we were going over wing feathers at the show, the leader was unable to determine if we had an axel feather and told my son to leave it off his list of feathers when he named them. Looks like about every other bird had one, as they were all named and shown. Since their feathers are shredded.... is it difficult to determine, or do they just not have one?

Yes, they should have an axial feather. Depending on whether the bird is growing feathers in after a molt, it might not be apparent. Or the bird could have a split wing (not good).

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Ok, here's one- there is discussion about regular size (non-bantam) sikies. The Silkie Club of Great Britian says there are two classifications, yet it was my understanding that silkies are one of the only true bantams?

"WEIGHTS
LARGE FOWL: Male 1.8 1kg (4lbs) Female 1.36kg (3lbs)
BANTAM SILKIES: Male 600g (22ozs) Female 500g (l8ozs)"


http://www.thesilkieclubofgreatbritain.co.uk/index.php?section=15

"Feather Legged Bantams -
Weights: Cock 36 oz. Cockerel 32 oz.
Hen 32 oz. Pullet 28 oz."

http://www.americansilkiebantamclub.org/standard.asp

Can someone clarify, please?

No, I don't know any silkie breeder who would say they are a true bantam. In the US, there are only bantam silkies recognised. Occasionally you will hear about someone trying to breed largefowl silkies. In most other countries they have both largefowl and bantam silkies. Their bantams tend to be a bit smaller than ours, their largefowl a bit larger; which fits with the weights you've posted.

A while back someone posted photos of her VERY large silkies (around 10 lb!) Definitely an armful.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Yes, they should have an axial feather. Depending on whether the bird is growing feathers in after a molt, it might not be apparent. Or the bird could have a split wing (not good).

Thanks! OKay, I'll have to take a good picture of her wing and maybe you can point out which one it is! LOL There were no breaks in the wing when we stretched it out and the judge didn't mention a split wing when he spread the wings on either of the two birds we showed. The leader was showing us which feathers were called what and she said the axial feather should be shorter than any of the others. But all the feathers on the wings were evenly getting shorter toward the body and she couldn't point it out. So she told my son to leave it off (not mention it) during showmanship. OKay-- maybe tomorrow I'll see if I can get a picture.

 

[peepblessed]

Yes, they should have an axial feather. Depending on whether the bird is growing feathers in after a molt, it might not be apparent. Or the bird could have a split wing (not good).

How soon can you know if a chick has split wing?

 

[sager:)silkies]

got a couple weird silkies that look like paint silkies plzz help me

 

[gambit2178]

Greetings,
Sharing my joy and happiness with all of you!

 

[peepblessed]

Greetings,
Sharing my joy and happiness with all of you!


Out of 18, mayority are partridge, calico, black and this color...

I have never seen this color before...is it consider a Silver Partridge?
I also got two llike the one on the left...like a grayish color...don't know what color that is.

Thank you for looking!

All very pretty! I'd better let the experts help with the colors!

 

[spowell]

I feel I must warn you.

A year and a half ago I brought home a few silkies from the feedstore to hopefully have as broodies. I soon found myself spending all my extra time watching the little fluff balls. Then I went on line and saw the show silkies! I threw all caution to the wind and bought two dozen eggs to hatch! Now they are having babies!!! Did you ever watch the old Star Trek show about Tribbles??? Let's just say "chicken math"...

Please show off pictures of your babies!

OMG, does that sound familiar!! I started out with 5 a little over a year ago, now I am up to at least 40-50. I am a hatchin' fool.