Silkie thread!

[cindersga]

Don't be to disappointed if the eggs from the show cages don't hatch many will keep their show birds separate to keep the feathers in show condition so they may very well be infertile.

My husband and I wondered that

. Will it be detrimental to my hen if they are not fertile eggs? I thought why would someone showing just leave their eggs here but someone there told me they would be fertile. So I took them. I guess we will see.

 

[lovinchickypoos]

This is my first Silkie! I got him from Shyla! He went from Ethel to Ethan, haha!!! I do not know much about conformation in chickens breeds yet, but I definitely know he is an absolute sweety!!!

 

[Scifisarah]

These guys have the cleanest feet I've ever seen!! Nice toe spacing. The lav is shy on foot feathering. They both could use more crest and tail volumn but my biggest objection to them is their long backs. Pictures don't always tell a true story so your observations are important. If they are very young, the back may improve. Wings are a big issue that can't be evaluated in these photos. IMO the roo is so critical in a breeding program as he often has more than one mate and some times several which makes his contribution huge. If you are able to get better ones I would certainly do that. Some times you must do the best you can with what you have.

They are housed in a tractor that we move every few days, so they stay pretty clean. I think it helps that it has been dewy in the grass when I let them out in the morning so they get a little foot bath.

I am fairly limited on space so I can't have a rooster in every color even though I would love to. I am thinking the bad foot feathering might seal the deal and have him going to a new home. Is it very desirable to have a small rooster, or should I not take that too deeply into consideration when choosing which roosters to keep? The lavender is 32 oz and the splash is 40 oz. How much do all of your "show roosters" weigh in comparison?

Have roosters that "danced" for any of you always seemed to turn aggressive? I don't want to waste my time on an aggressive bird either...

Sorry, lots of questions!

 

[cindersga]

QUESTION ~ I have 3 laying hens who are 1 1/2 years old. One is sitting on the Catdance eggs and had stopped laying before I got the eggs. The other hen is now sitting on the eggs I found at the show. That leaves one laying hen that is a Silky/Frizzle/Mix and her eggs are almost white. I also have chicks that are around 4 1/2 months old ~ 3 pullets and 1 cockerel. This morning I went into the coop and in the nesting box where all 4 of the chicks slept last night were 3 brown silkie eggs. Could they be laying at this age?

 

[cindersga]

This is my first Silkie! I got him from Shyla! He went from Ethel to Ethan, haha!!! I do not know much about conformation in chickens breeds yet, but I definitely know he is an absolute sweety!!!

He looks very sweet! I like his crest and his coloring. Congrats.

 

[cindersga]

I feel like my wings are one of the best features of my own. All hold them very tight to their bodies. Even at this young age. I really need to work on cushion and backs.

Here is one of my 14 week olds - her wings are very nice and tight to her body.
Sometimes it's just too hard to tell in photos though. Maybe it was too hot out that day.

Prettttyyyyyy

 

[cindersga]

I'm all the way over in Michigan - what are the chances of her eggs making it here and still having a decent hatch? I have never ordered eggs from so far away before.

She shipped to me in GA. They were all in tact and packaged very well. She shared with me that the hatch rate could only be 25% because of being shipped. I took my chances as I wanted to try it but I am not using an incubator I am using a broody hen. We will see

 

[aoxa]

They are housed in a tractor that we move every few days, so they stay pretty clean. I think it helps that it has been dewy in the grass when I let them out in the morning so they get a little foot bath.

I am fairly limited on space so I can't have a rooster in every color even though I would love to. I am thinking the bad foot feathering might seal the deal and have him going to a new home. Is it very desirable to have a small rooster, or should I not take that too deeply into consideration when choosing which roosters to keep? The lavender is 32 oz and the splash is 40 oz. How much do all of your "show roosters" weigh in comparison?

Have roosters that "danced" for any of you always seemed to turn aggressive? I don't want to waste my time on an aggressive bird either...

Sorry, lots of questions!

They should be 36 ounces. They are exactly the same amount off from the standard.

Is the heavier male fatter? How old are they, and are they the same age?

I think it would be more desirable to have a smaller silkie rather than a bigger one. I'd rather have one right on standard. Obviously that can't always be done. I would take the smaller one if weight was the only consideration.

I really need a scale. I can't tell you how much they weigh for sure.

My roosters have never been aggressive.

Also - really nice setup!

 

[Scifisarah]

They should be 36 ounces. They are exactly the same amount off from the standard.
Is the heavier male fatter? How old are they, and are they the same age?
I think it would be more desirable to have a smaller silkie rather than a bigger one. I'd rather have one right on standard. Obviously that can't always be done. I would take the smaller one if weight was the only consideration.
I really need a scale. I can't tell you how much they weigh for sure.
My roosters have never been aggressive.
Also - really nice setup!

They hatched the same day and are just over 3 months old, so I am sure they will gain a little. The heavier one isn't fat, just bigger overall and quite tall. I am thinking that at 40 oz at 3 months, the splash is on the large side and I would like to keep my birds petite. He also does not like being picked up at all and I'd like to keep more friendly birds. If they don't like me at all despite the treats I shower upon them, I question why I am keeping them. I used a digital kitchen scale zeroed out with a log on top! I should probably wash it before we use it in the kitchen again...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: At three months old they are both WAY too large for the standard. 36 oz is for a cock--a male over a year old. Cockerels should weigh in at 32 oz, but that would be a nearly grown cockerel, not a 3 month old. At least 6 months and probably closer to 8 or 10 months.