Silkie thread!

[heirloomorps]

Quick question: my pure white silkie is spotless EXCEPT her beard. What's the best way to clean just her beard or is it full bath time?

 

[peepblessed]

Well, yesterday I decided to remove all the hay from the silkies runs and change it for some pine shaving (under it it is dirt). The runs are covered, but if it rains heavily the sides get wet (so the pine shavings would get a bit wet). I was thinking instead of pine shaving could I use sand (cheaper). Is it a good idea?

I use coarse sand and I love it! It's way better than shavings as I have to use them on some indoors spots.

 

[Mumsy]

Well, Parmesano passed while I slept. I am gonna do a necropsy and see if there are tumors causing this. Someone that lives close to me that got 7 M Best chicks soon after me only has 1 chick remaining. They lost an average of one a week. So there is something going on in her lines.

I'm so sorry for your losing two. I'd like to know the results of your necropsy findings. Knowledge is power.

My M Best chicks are six 1/2 months old and doing fine. The male crowed for the first time this week.

 

[RockerHen]

What an adorable picture!! I have not been able to correct that joint ( I have also been told a slipped tendon) issue. I hate losing chicks. Congratulations on the new babies !!!

They had a lot of trouble hatching, I think that contributed to it. I always feel bad losing chicks, but I would rather them not suffer if they are unable to live a normal life.

 

[fluffyfeathers]

Well, Parmesano passed while I slept. I am gonna do a necropsy and see if there are tumors causing this. Someone that lives close to me that got 7 M Best chicks soon after me only has 1 chick remaining. They lost an average of one a week. So there is something going on in her lines.

I'm interested in what you find on that necropsy. I bought a hen from her at the end of January and it was sick too. It died a week ago. I emailed MB but I haven't heard anything back.

 

[peepblessed]

Hatch total ended up being 7/10. I culled two from those 7 because of leg issues, the poor things could barely walk and kept flipping over on their back (not spraddle leg--it's some joint issue I haven't been able to correct). But I let them all enjoy a day in the sun with their Mom before I did. One of the culls had completely yellow legs, really weird because none of my birds ever had yellow legs as chicks. Anyway, the rest are very cute and I'm looking forward to seeing them mature.

Always hard to cull.... Adorable photo though.

Well, Parmesano passed while I slept. I am gonna do a necropsy and see if there are tumors causing this. Someone that lives close to me that got 7 M Best chicks soon after me only has 1 chick remaining. They lost an average of one a week. So there is something going on in her lines.

So sorry you are dealing with this. Sure hoping that is the last casualty...

 

[Fur N Feathers]

Beautiful babies everyone!!!

He's my little darling today:

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:

average age 6 months. but its depends on some breeds , some can lay their first egg up to 9 months.

Silkies rarely lay that early in my experience. I never expect eggs before they are 9-10 months old, and am not surprised if they are more than a year, although that is not all that common for them to wait that long. Birds that come to about the right maturity during winter often do not lay until the longer days and warmer weather of spriing, adding a few months to the wait.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
10-12 weeks. She is still alive this morning, but was laying face down and wont move. She did poop while I had her in my hand, so at least I know things are moving inside. I think there may be other things at play here. She is one that has always been less active than the rest. Is there anything linked to too much in-breeding(not adding new blood every few years)? If she doesn't make it(I will be shocked if she is alive when I get up this afternoon) then I will perform a necropsy to see her insides to determine if this was truly out of my control. At least with Teriyaki, I knew it was my fault with the meat piece too big, but Parmesano has me flubbered.
Treat for coccidiosis.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Quote:

average age 6 months. but its depends on some breeds , some can lay their first egg up to 9 months.

Silkies rarely lay that early in my experience. I never expect eggs before they are 9-10 months old, and am not surprised if they are more than a year, although that is not all that common for them to wait that long. Birds that come to about the right maturity during winter often do not lay until the longer days and warmer weather of spriing, adding a few months to the wait.


I just feel very lucky. Every single one of my chickens has started early. I have EE's, Silkies, Cochin's, Plymouth Rocks, Jersey Blacks, Orpingtons, Brahmas, and Australorps. Most started at 16-17 weeks. My Silkies started around 5-6 months. And one of those is broody and sitting on 5 eggs.