Silkie thread!

[littlecritters]

I really don't think it was the cold. I mean, it went down to -2 last night and I have 4 - 8 week old silkies that had no heat lamp at all. They all made it through the night with no issues what-so-ever. She could have just had other issues..? I know my silkies are extremely hardy and very healthy.

I think hardiness may be relative to the environment in which silkies are raised in. Meaning, if 8 week old babies have been outside and gradually gotten used to the diminishing temperatures, they may be fine without a heat lamp. But, if someone has been keeping 8 week olds inside and wants to move them out into a coop...they may need a heat source. I also believe that wind, wind chill factor and dampness all make a difference. I now use AccuWeather which calculates a RealFeel temp based on a variety of factors. The app works well in the summer also, when humidity plays a role.

 

[lovinchickypoos]

Come on. We need an excuse to keep more. It's for their own good

Mine pile up in the hottest of weather as well. It's a comfort thing. The pile does get bigger when it is colder. The boys tend to join in lately

It went down to -2 last night. We bought supplies to make cookie tin water heaters for them. I can not afford all those heated water bowls for each pen.
I hope it works well!

We did the cookie tin thing last year and it worked great! In the coldest weather we had (low teens and upper single digits) it was fine.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

one of my silkie chicks (approx 12 weeks) is dealing with coccidiosis. one of them had it about a month ago, I treated them but one kept having a bit of blood. I thought maybe it was just still clearing up. well, it didn't get better and now it is worse again and he/she is all hunched over

Use a different coccidiostat! ASAP!!!
Corrid (amprollium) if you used sulmet; sulmet if you used corrid.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I had some leftover corid, so I put some in their water a bit ago. I put them back in the coop because it is cold outside, and I am going to get a heat lamp for them this afternoon. No, I forgot to give the yogurt afterwards that is probably where I went wrong. Shoot.

Yogurt has NOTHING!!! to do with coccidiosis. ESPECIALLY if you treated with corrid (which is NOT an antibiotic).

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Thanks to everyone who commented on my babies. I am hoping that they are girls. The gal who got them for me said she did her best to pick out female traits as she brought home 4 for herself. She raises silkies as well. The partridge ones I hoped to get ended up being male. I like my Three Shades of Gray!

Question: SInce they are still young ( 6-8 weeks) and it is starting to cool down at night, should I provide a heat lamp or bring them in at night? Otherwise I would need 9 more for a nice warm pile.

I am hooked now. Just told hubby I want my partridge color and a few other colors. I love reds and oranges.

They are old enough to not need added heat--unless all of a sudden we have December weather, and even then they should be okay if they are in an enclosed or sheltered coop. And all of them have wide-set, relatively flexible pubic bones, so they SHOULD be girls.

I am glad that you are enjoying them!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Thanks to everyone who commented on my babies. I am hoping that they are girls. The gal who got them for me said she did her best to pick out female traits as she brought home 4 for herself. She raises silkies as well. The partridge ones I hoped to get ended up being male. I like my Three Shades of Gray!

Question: SInce they are still young ( 6-8 weeks) and it is starting to cool down at night, should I provide a heat lamp or bring them in at night? Otherwise I would need 9 more for a nice warm pile.

I am hooked now. Just told hubby I want my partridge color and a few other colors. I love reds and oranges.

Oh! You NEED the wry-tailed partridge! He has never crowed, and he is GORGEOUS. Just do not breed him.

 

[City farm]

Just wanted to say HI! And that I just adopted a tiny baby silkie chick this morning. Will be raising him/her all by myself. I raised chicks before but this is my first silkie. So excited! Srry but I will properly introduce myself and the un named chick more later cause I start work in a bit. Just was too excited on getting a silkie that I had to post here really quick hahaha. Love all the cute pics!!!
Rob =)

Welcomrs to B.Y.C. ...
You will enjoy the silkie forum!! Lots of good info..
They are one of our favorite chicks... Cute & fabulous !!
What color did you get?

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Oh! You NEED the wry-tailed partridge! He has never crowed, and he is GORGEOUS. Just do not breed him.

He sounds gorgeous. Do you have a picture of him? Maybe I should just come visit you one day.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

They are old enough to not need added heat--unless all of a sudden we have December weather, and even then they should be okay if they are in an enclosed or sheltered coop. And all of them have wide-set, relatively flexible pubic bones, so they SHOULD be girls.

I am glad that you are enjoying them!

I am happy to hear that they "should" be girls. They are still a bit skiddish but are getting brave coming over to me. I have been enticing them with meal worms. I hold them every chance I get and they don't struggle to get away. My grandson loves them. I said what do the babies say and he says "Peep, Peep"

 

[dwegg]

Just wanted to show off my new catdance babies my broody cochin hatched got 8.  Looks like 1 lavender, 4 lav splits (partridge markings?) and 3 porcelian, so excited about these!

Awww...congrats ...you will love them...what colors hatched for you? I have a second generation hatching as I type from Karen...

I kept only buff, splash, paint, black and white....and have already showed some of them...

My very first chick just hatched and it's a splash! The momma won first place at her very first show...

I have 5 more pips...