Silkie thread!

[peepblessed]

Can anyone tell me what color this chick is? Has white on wings and totally white feathers on feet.

This is likely a blue and most of the feathers will turn though I've had a couple that kept one or two white feathers.

 

[peepblessed]

When I locked up the coop tonight, I checked in to see who was where. Much to my surprise, my little Partridge roo and Patridge hen were cuddled up together in one of the nesting boxes. He was singing to her, she normally treats him like a little punk, but she seemed to be enjoying his love song. He normally coos and sings when I hold him, he is such a sweetie. Hopefully, they will make some pretty babies together at some point. It was nice to see them getting along and all lovied (as my daughter would say) up together. I just felt the need to share. It was sweet.

We'll be looking forward to the babies!!

 

[lil mama]

My Silkies are now 8 weeks old. What do you think they are? Males or females?

I think boy, boy, girl, girl, girl, boy.

 

[peepblessed]

Suzie, how is a paint "made" (for lack of a better word)? Is it a genetic combination to create that look or is it more of an appearance thing? For example, one of my splash chicks has very distinct white/black markings...does that make him a paint instead of a splash? It's appropriately named Spotty-Dottie. I'm just curious.

I have a partridge silkie which I was wondering how she came about too. Her colors were not "planned" considering they were all from BBS pens? Genetics fascinate me and someday I'd like to understand them.

I love the very white splash with black feathers. I call them the "poor man's paint". Tehe! Here's one of mine at 6 weeks. It was born snow white and didn't get any spots for over 3 wks. Then they came in black. It's 12 wks. now and hundreds of spots.

 

[peepblessed]

My Silkies are now 8 weeks old. What do you think they are? Males or females?

Too young to sex but I would be suspicious of those first ones that are developing quite a large comb. Early comb development usually signals boy but not always.

 

[peepblessed]

Welcome to BYC!! Those are adorable babies!!

 

[peepblessed]

How about Roo-meo?

Haha! Great name!!

 

[peepblessed]

I'm sure the anwserr is here some place but at what age do silkie roosters start to crow? I have one that is 14 weeks and he is a he but nothing yet. He like to make soft little sounds, which are so cute, but no crowing yet. And I have to say that my kids feel in love with this one. We just happened to find it at TSC in a bin of bantams. We now have 14 more, 6 of those are going to be sold. My 15 year old really wants to show them but not really sure about what it take for that. And I'm not sure any of ours are good enough. Plenty cute though! Also can I breed the batch I have to each other or should I get some eggs from a different person and breed them?

Thanks! And all these silkies are cute!!

Normally three to eight months, but my main roo didn't start crowing until 10 mths. at least not that I heard. He also didn't start breeding until then.

 

[tilosi]

I keep my chickens in the coop until 9:30am or so, my roo gets it all out of his system.....until around 8pm and he starts up again a few times, then he puts the hens to bed.

I put my rooster in a cage in the garage in the evening and cover it with a blanket. Then in the morning around 10 I let him out with his girls. He crows a while then is quiet all day. Then in the evening when the girls put themselves to bed he wonders back over to the back door and waits for me to put him back in the garage for the night. Its a little extra work but worth it.

Both great ideas....maybe it won't be too bad, after all.

And, the neighbors will be getting eggs from my reds.... (just a little bribery)

 

[Hawkeye95]

I'm sure the anwserr is here some place but at what age do silkie roosters start to crow? I have one that is 14 weeks and he is a he but nothing yet. He like to make soft little sounds, which are so cute, but no crowing yet. And I have to say that my kids feel in love with this one. We just happened to find it at TSC in a bin of bantams. We now have 14 more, 6 of those are going to be sold. My 15 year old really wants to show them but not really sure about what it take for that. And I'm not sure any of ours are good enough. Plenty cute though! Also can I breed the batch I have to each other or should I get some eggs from a different person and breed them?

Thanks! And all these silkies are cute!!

There is no rule for how old your birds must be to show. BUT, they must be mostly filled out and looking as close as possible as to what they will when they are adults. I have a show this Thursday-- and I'm going to be showing a young bird that has filled in fast and has a great big crest on her with amazingly feathered feet. Her wings are under developed with *possible* split wing (we'll see how this grows out) and I'm going to talk to the judge about her immature wings. Anyway, we're in 4-H and it is a fantastic organization and you will learn a lot about what you are looking for in your birds. To show silkies, you must have a Medium to large crest, and nice and filled in. Cushion really needs to be fluffy and high, and wings nice and tight with no splits, and the feet must be well feathered in-- including the middle toes, which MUST be fully feathered to place. Then, all toes must be there (no extra). I've seen some hatchery birds show up and while you CAN show them of course, you likely won't place or might even be told to invest in some better lines or birds. Just keep in mind when you go to a show-- you are ASKING that judge to give you his opinion. It doesn't matter if you disagree with him, you went there and asked for his opinion and they will give it-- even if it's not what you want to hear. But it's all good! Usually the judges are super nice and they want to help you as much as possible. They will point out faults and tell you what to look for. It's a fantastic learning experience and you'll walk away knowing what you should be looking for and what you don't want. In the end, you'll be a much wiser poultry breeder for it. Everyone has to start somewhere. You can always go to Open shows, but you'll have so much more fun doing the poultry clinics in 4-H. Call your county Extension Office and ask them for the 4-H person and they should be able to give you a list of the local clubs and you can pick out one near you. If you are undecided about which one to go to, then ask which one does the most poultry. The club I'm in doesn't do a lot of poultry-- they do mainly meat goats, sheep and then other things like Foods, sewing, etc..