Silkie thread!

[Debbi]

I know this probably isn't the right place to ask, but since there are people here all the time, I thought I'd take a stab at it.

I've got quite a bit of head shaking going on with these chicks. The oldest ones are 4 weeks and the babies will be 2 weeks on Wednesday. They have not been outside, and I don't see anything in them. They are otherwise eating and drinking and acting fine. Originally, the silkies were the first ones to do this, and they only did it when the air conditioning was on. I'll spend some time sitting and watching today, but they are doing it now while trying to sleep. There is a lot of movment in the room, so maybe it's just drafty? I don't remember any of my others doing this.

Any ideas? I'm thinking they are entirely too young to be wormed, and I don't see any mites or lice?? (and where would they have gotten it from?!)

Any chance the Air Conditioner is blowing directly on them?? Keep them out of drafts, no matter how hot or cold.

 

[wvchix]

are male silkies easy to rehome?

 

[peepblessed]

wait so whats the problem? the chicks doing the head shaking? first though would be mites or lice (they can be in the bag of bedding when you buy it - depends on where a store keeps them at) What type of set up do you have them in? enclosed like an aquarium or a tub/tote or something with open sides? If you are keeping them in something like an aquarium or a plastic tote - move them from the aquarium or if its plastic drill holes or cut a hole and ziptie or tape some mesh or screen or something to atleast 1 side (6 inches form teh bottom, on level with the chicks on one side (where you keep food/water maybe not by the lighted/heated side) it could be their own dander and dust from the chicks themselves or the pine bedding is irritating their eyes and nose, I've had this happen in the past before I made sure i had plenty of ventilation.

Just to add to these possibilities I would check their cheeks and make sure the little feathers aren't curling up into their vision. I often have to trim mine with blunt scissors. It only seems to be the lower feathers that bother them.

 

[wvchix]

I'm thinking of getting a 2 week old Silkie chick, but if it's a roo dh won't let me keep him. What should I do?

 

[stoopid]

The good looking ones are easier.....

 

[peepblessed]

are male silkies easy to rehome?

Some times easy and sometimes almost impossible for me.

 

[wvchix]

Maybe I shouldn't take my chances then.

 

[wvchix]

I'm in WV and would like to find a Silkie pullet. Not sure where to look though.

 

[Tikkijane]

wait so whats the problem? the chicks doing the head shaking? first though would be mites or lice (they can be in the bag of bedding when you buy it - depends on where a store keeps them at) What type of set up do you have them in? enclosed like an aquarium or a tub/tote or something with open sides? If you are keeping them in something like an aquarium or a plastic tote - move them from the aquarium or if its plastic drill holes or cut a hole and ziptie or tape some mesh or screen or something to atleast 1 side (6 inches form teh bottom, on level with the chicks on one side (where you keep food/water maybe not by the lighted/heated side) it could be their own dander and dust from the chicks themselves or the pine bedding is irritating their eyes and nose, I've had this happen in the past before I made sure i had plenty of ventilation.

They are piled up outside in the pallet, and sealed in a plastic bag, fwiw. They should have plenty of ventilation. Our best guess is itchy head feathers. I'll still keep checking for mites/lice, though. We haven't seen any, and you'd think at least on the silkies it would be easier to see lice against the dark skin. Sheesh, I'd hate to dust them already. Will keep an eye on it, because I don't remember my others doing this as chicks, but that was a while ago, lol. We are not quite at the overloading on chicken dust stage, but I expect that in the next few weeks......

 

[wvchix]

I'm in WV and would like to find a Silkie pullet. Not sure where to look though. Any suggestions?