Silkie thread!

[DDNONIN2016]

Wow! So many beautiful birds on this thread. Can I just say something about this thread? Ahem...I have to say, that as long, and as many times I have come on here, I have seen nothing but nice comments, helpful comments, folks coplimenting one another on their hatches, their new live arrivals. Everyone makes them feel like they have the prettiest and cutest chicken in the whole wide world..well, we do..they are Silkies after all.

The only time I see someone comment on whether their chicken is show quality or not, is if it has been asked. Well done Silkie lovers! I have been to threads where folks are doing fine on the thread, chatting along, and here comes someone to stir up confusion in what has been said. They..knew the way it was, or is. Had to argue the point every time a comment was made. It's so fun to come on here and just read the compliments, and see the beautiful birds that are posted. Thanks for posting!

I agree 1000 % Nice group of people here

 

[DDNONIN2016]

Becky Salinger in Ohio showed some beautiful Silkies at the MD show. I took these pics of them:

Wow her silkies are gorgeous

 

[chisNchickens]

Hi all, I have a chick that is having a hard time walking, one leg seems to splay out. I have tried the band-aid trick and he just falls on his face. I scrapped
that idea and have him in a box with a wash cloth secured to the bottom so he can get better footing, and he is managing to stay upright. He is eating and drinking now, so I guess my question is: is there a chance he can straighten out on his own? He sure is trying, and seems to be doing better. Has anyone seen one recover on its own or should I plan on culling?
Thanks!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Give it a few days. Splay leg is often caused by slick footing; you've corrected that with the washcloth, so let the chick have a few days to strengthen its legs. It sounds like it is already doing a good job of getting it right.

 

[aoxa]

Hi all, I have a chick that is having a hard time walking, one leg seems to splay out. I have tried the band-aid trick and he just falls on his face. I scrapped
that idea and have him in a box with a wash cloth secured to the bottom so he can get better footing, and he is managing to stay upright. He is eating and drinking now, so I guess my question is: is there a chance he can straighten out on his own? He sure is trying, and seems to be doing better. Has anyone seen one recover on its own or should I plan on culling?
Thanks!

I find silkies are darn near impossible to fix with splayed leg using hobbles. Their legs are so tiny at hatching and it's very hard to put on correctly. I did it easily with an EE, but never had success with silkies.

My suggestion is keep it away from others> they will and have trampled them. Especially standard chicks. What you are doing sounds better than what I've done. Hope it works out!

 

[chisNchickens]

Thanks Sonoran and Aoxa...will keep you posted. He's in the same tub as three others but he is in a box within a box. He can see the others and seems
content.
Good to know it isn't just me not getting the hobble to work. Thanks!

 

[blessedchick]

Thanks Sonoran and Aoxa...will keep you posted. He's in the same tub as three others but he is in a box within a box. He can see the others and seems
content.
Good to know it isn't just me not getting the hobble to work. Thanks!

I have also tried to hobble them without success...so terribly sad, but I'm a bit relieved to hear that I'm not the only one having trouble getting those teeny legs splinted and the chick still able to mobilize. I did have success with putting one in a cut off paper cup, legs properly placed and the whole baby wrapped with a wash cloth to keep the legs straight and the chick upright. The little guy had to reach a bit to look over the cup edge so this seemed to be enough exercise to keep some strength in those legs. I took him to work with me to make sure that he got enough food and water. He trotted out of that cup after 4 days as sound as can be...kinda odd but it worked on him!

 

[Suzierd]

Hi all, I have a chick that is having a hard time walking, one leg seems to splay out. I have tried the band-aid trick and he just falls on his face. I scrapped
that idea and have him in a box with a wash cloth secured to the bottom so he can get better footing, and he is managing to stay upright. He is eating and drinking now, so I guess my question is: is there a chance he can straighten out on his own? He sure is trying, and seems to be doing better. Has anyone seen one recover on its own or should I plan on culling?
Thanks!

Not sure if this will help or not
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/318395/spraddle-leg-treatment-for-feather-legged-chicks

 

[aoxa]

Not sure if this will help or not
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/318395/spraddle-leg-treatment-for-feather-legged-chicks

I've tried with yarn without success, but this would be worth a shot.

 

[peepblessed]

that's great info

quick question, if I put a door on my coop tonight (an old dog house, 4x4x3) will they have enough air? There is another door on the side as well but I don't have anything to make ventilation holes really but I have to put a door on so I can keep my rooster INSIDE! He just started trying to crow and I really don't want to have to sell him.

btw I have 2 silkie hens and a young polish cockerel.

I don't think air will be a problem but lack of ventilation builds humidity and damp coop can definitely cause problems.

Went out to the coop tonight, and one Silkie is sleeping by it's self, out of the pile (?) . It's not acting sick, haven't noticed anyone picking on it. Do they leave the "pile" to sleep by themselves in the cold? Next to the door, even (the door to the coop, they don't have a door to go in and out at will, yet).

I had one that did that. Never knew why....

I went to the feed store today with my kids and my oldest son always wants to go see the chickens and ducks (like we don't have any at home

). Anyway, they accept a lot of roosters from people who don't want them or can't keep them. I always see hatchery silkies but this time one caught my eye (he is obviously not from hatchery.) He seems very young, and looks nice especially his feet... a lot of feathers. His wings seems ok, I like his crest too, but I need you guys advice. I have 6 white chicks under one month, and a dozen of white eggs on the way, so i am going to have some roo in a few months to choose from lol. I just don't want miss an opportunity with the guy lol. They sell him for $15. What do you think about him (he is quite dirty)? Is he worthy to get him?

Looks like a good deal to me.

This is my splash hen and my first hatch of chicks. She was one of my roosters favorites and also needed a trim since she got sticky after a watermelon treat, so excuse her messy crest. She actually lays on top of the feeder even if I move it. I guess she doesn't want them out of her sight to go for a snack. She is a great momma. Now to find homes for all these lil ones, ok maybe I will keep one

Cuties! How do the babies get under her to get warm?