Silkie thread!

[GoldBarRanch]

Here are some of my 1 month olds I put out in the nursery yesterday. They are having a blast scratching around and rolling in the dust. Whites and Partridge here in this clutch born 4/2/12

 

[gambit2178]

They are so cute!

 

[LeonieJane]

Pics of my babies. What do you think?

 

[Hawkeye95]

I was taught you aren't supposed to wash your chickens a day before fair but rather 3 or so days so that the natural oil in their feathers can spread and give them a nice shine.

Doesn't work that way with Silkies.

If you bathe them 3 days ahead of time, you'll be flat, dirty, and messed up again. And BTW, I grew up showing poultry most of my life, except it was with my Dad's birds-- he raised WCB Polish. And yes, in that case, we washed them 2 days ahead of time. He had the BEST looking WCB Polish around. He doesn't raise them anymore, but good times and great memories! I learned everything from him and 4-H. When we got into Silkies for my son's 4-H (and myself!), I've learned that NOTHING is the same. It's like learning a whole new language over here. What I thought I knew.... it's like starting over. But these guys are so much fun!!



GoldBarRanch-- super cute babies you have there!!

 

[BlossomSilkies]

Pics of my babies. What do you think?

First, they are darling! But secondly, what is what here, for example, the last one, is that a partridge? I'm always looking for pictures of silkie types as chicks and you look like you have a nice variety there for using as a reference.

 

[KMHunter]

So after candling my silkie eggs I have 11 out of 15 that are doing great! And out of shipped eggs no less. I am so excited!

Hopefully I will have baby pics to show in 9 days or so.

So I am still wondering about what age you can tell if they are pullets or cockerels?
I can usually tell with most standard breeds by around 3-4 months at the latest, some at 5-6 weeks.
But silkies are new to me.
Any input as to what to look for would be great!
I am not looking for any definitive answer, just individual experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[peepblessed]

I let my silkies free range today(of course keeping a very close eye on them) and I ended up taking way to many pictures so I just have to share!!

Here are my 3 month olds(I'm not sure how old the white silkies are but I'm pretty sure they're around the same age.)By the way I don't know the gender of them but I think they're all girls??

My buff one with a worm.

My older birds(5 months and up)

Mom and her baby

Speaking of moms I have 3 broody hens and surprisingly none are silkies, but one is a silkie mix. I tried to put eggs from my blue pair under them but the pullets not laying very well(just started laying). Also, I'm going to a show next weekend and I'm bringing 1 blue pullet, 2 white cockerels, and 1 buff cockerel(all silkies).

Beautiful pictures of a very beautiful flock!!

 

[peepblessed]

So after candling my silkie eggs I have 11 out of 15 that are doing great! And out of shipped eggs no less. I am so excited!

Hopefully I will have baby pics to show in 9 days or so.

So I am still wondering about what age you can tell if they are pullets or cockerels?
I can usually tell with most standard breeds by around 3-4 months at the latest, some at 5-6 weeks.
But silkies are new to me.
Any input as to what to look for would be great!
I am not looking for any definitive answer, just individual experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kim

I can usually tell at about 3 months. I start making my first educated guesses at 8 wks, mostly based on behavior and usually about 65% accurate. I have been 100% accurate at 3 months but I spend a lot of time with them. Blessings on that hatch!

 

[dwegg]

Pics of my babies. What do you think?

WOW Leonie...those are some beautiful chicks and amazing pics...the colors are beautiful..I am from Australia but living in Atlanta USA and am so happy to see some quality silkies there as I will be moving home in a couple of years and looking to buy a farm for all my chickens there...awesome...

 

[Lady Chickadee]

Thanks peepblessed,gambit2178,ChickensXOXO,and Whittni! I enjoy them so much,I absolutely love my silkies!