Silkie thread!

[Feathersprings]

Anyone know if this might be a roo or pullet? Not having any luck getting folks to give me information
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/755316/silkie-roo-or-hen#post_10704960

I have one right now that looks al ot like that and am starting to think it is a cockerel. It isnt quit as brightly cloored and my older boys are but different than the girls . The younger one in the front is the one I had thought was a pullet that i am changing my mind about .


How old is yours ??? My older ones here are 3 1/2 months and the other one about a month younger

 

[Feathersprings]

Question - at what age do you usually switch from starter to layer feed? I read one article that said switch at four months but another one said keep them on starter until they lay first egg. For silkies, this could be a long time.

I usually change mine over when the get integrated into the flock about 5 months old or so.

 

[Sanna]

I hear people say its hard to sex silkies and it takes forever to figure it out but I thought Id post some updates pics of my 2 chicks and see if anyone has any opinions. Pics arent great becasue they were running from my phone lol There are 2 chicks in theses pics 1 splash and 1 porcelain about 7 weeks old

I'll say what everyone else has said so far; too early to tell.

Taking Nori to the vet this afternoon

she has an egg stuck, it's too large for her pelvis. I would colapse it myself but I don't have the means to do it.

Good luck!

 

[PaintedFeathers]

Okay we're back, he actually was able to remove the egg whole, but he gave her a sort of external c-section. He had to slowly pull out her ovaduct, kind of turn it inside out, but when he got to the egg it was actually sort of twisted in the membrane of the ovaduct so he had to make an incision to remove it then stitched her back up. Now to keep her from laying anymore I'm trying to make her go broody so she will stop. Any suggestions? I got some of the plastic easter eggs and filled them with sand and gave them to her in a covered kennel.

 

[countrygirl74]

Question - at what age do you usually switch from starter to layer feed? I read one article that said switch at four months but another one said keep them on starter until they lay first egg. For silkies, this could be a long time.

I don't use layer feed at all because I have 3 roos. Around 16 weeks I switched to grower and that's what they'll always stay on. I provide oyster shell for the girls to get when they need it for calcium. If you have all girls, I've heard that it's best to wait until some of them start actually laying before switching them all to a layer feed.

 

[JacquiJ]

Okay we're back, he actually was able to remove the egg whole, but he gave her a sort of external c-section. He had to slowly pull out her ovaduct, kind of turn it inside out, but when he got to the egg it was actually sort of twisted in the membrane of the ovaduct so he had to make an incision to remove it then stitched her back up. Now to keep her from laying anymore I'm trying to make her go broody so she will stop. Any suggestions? I got some of the plastic easter eggs and filled them with sand and gave them to her in a covered kennel.

You should begin to meal feed her I.e. a bit in the morning and a bit in the afternoon. Basically to inhibit reproduction she needs to be only having enough calories to support her own body not extra for reproduction. It's like a marathon runner, they do not ovulate because they are barely getting enough calories to support their high energy needs and no more so their body knows they can't support another life. Make sure you keep her in only around 8-10 hours of light daily, be wary of outside lights (street lights etc) that may come thru. There has to be a 10fold difference to be able to distinguish dark from light for chickens. Because silkies are seasonal breeders, the longer days (12 hours of light or more) indicate they should be reproducing. By keeping her in the dark, she will think it is winter. The most important thing is to do both, nutrition can override light sensitivity. Avian biology major at UGA - I've done lots of repro studies on chickens. Glad she is all better!!

 

[SilkieRose]

That little model is sooo cute!!!

I need wry neck help, please. My 10 week old boy is in a really bad way. He's sitting on his head. I'm doing selenium, vitamin E, children's vitamin, electrolytes, getting polyvisol today- they didn't have it without iron yesterday- he barely wants to eat or even stay awake right now. I have him wrapped in a towel so he can rest without contorting. He has 6 toes & he was picked up soft-mouthed by a hound dog when he was 2 weeks old, but never showed any problems associated. So.... if he doesn't respond to the polyvisol, what would you guys do? I don't want to put him down, but I don't want him to suffer. It's been about 3 days of supplements. I'm giving it till Friday. What is the most humane way of euthanizing a chick? My daughter is a mess over it. This is our first time facing this situation Opinions, please. Poor Gracie May who is now George

 

[Feathersprings]

That little model is sooo cute!!!

I need wry neck help, please. My 10 week old boy is in a really bad way. He's sitting on his head. I'm doing selenium, vitamin E, children's vitamin, electrolytes, getting polyvisol today- they didn't have it without iron yesterday- he barely wants to eat or even stay awake right now. I have him wrapped in a towel so he can rest without contorting. He has 6 toes & he was picked up soft-mouthed by a hound dog when he was 2 weeks old, but never showed any problems associated. So.... if he doesn't respond to the polyvisol, what would you guys do? I don't want to put him down, but I don't want him to suffer. It's been about 3 days of supplements. I'm giving it till Friday. What is the most humane way of euthanizing a chick? My daughter is a mess over it. This is our first time facing this situation Opinions, please. Poor Gracie May who is now George

Sometimes it takes weeks... the main thing it to make sure he is getting fulids and nourishment while waiting it out. Some people give them prednisone.. dont know enough about that to advise you. Just know it helps with the brain swelling. you never know what might happen, just a little bonk on the head can bring it on. I have had ones that come in and out oof it for quite some time after they are looking better just brough on by a little stress but mine have all recovered. Dont give up yet.. I know it is scarey and looks awful..

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

I have a first time broody. I didn't think she was gonna stay with it but she has so far. She started out with 5 eggs and when I went out and moved her today, she had eight. I'm not sure which are new and which ones she had first so I am just going to let her alone. I moved her into her own box and she is staying in there now. Hope the chicks break your broody hen.

I'm hoping that if my egg eaters get broody, it will stop them from eating eggs!

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Far too young to tell. Ask again in 4 or 5 months and then maybe we will have a better idea.

Name it a girly name, it will be a boy. Name it a boy name, it will be a girl. That's how it works for me