Silkie thread!

[Sonoran Silkies]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for a post like this (sorry - newbie here!) but I am wondering if anyone could recommend a source for silkies in MA or NH? I am looking to start a small flock of 4 silkie hens (I know that it's hard to sex them so my first preference is to find some older hens that are friendly) and I'd like to start with healthy, good quality birds. Please feel free to PM if needed. Again, I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong area!

Julie Roundtree, Hattrick, Kate Morreale, I know there are others, too.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I just got two paints and I know people that show theirs and get placings.

You can place among other paints and with other non-recognized varieties, but paint is no a recognized variety, and there are mutterings from judges that it should be called exchequer, which it is definitely not (either genetically or pheonetically).

 

[Jharper]

You can place among other paints and with other non-recognized varieties, but paint is no a recognized variety, and there are mutterings from judges that it should be called exchequer, which it is definitely not (either genetically or pheonetically).

Hmm but can I still show in a 4-H show and win grand or reserve?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Show ye, but you can only win with recognized breeds and their recognized varieties. Showmanship is a different matter, and a bird need not be a purebred or recognized breed or variety...but you should to know a lot about that specific bird and why/how it differs from the standard, as well as all the regular chicken knowledge.

 

[sweets3068]

my little girls first show and her silkie's got grand champion reserve fancy

Wow that is just AMAZING please tell your little girl there she did a great job with her birds. I you are both so very proud.

 

[sweets3068]

and how do I sanitize the eggs for eating? just with egg wash?

I have heard you don't sanitize an egg. They have a coating on them that naturally keeps bacteria out. If you wash that off then the bacteria gets into the egg. So unless you are eating it right away should just rinse it off with warm water and gently rub any dirt off

 

[sweets3068]

I use wood pellets that have been wet down so they break up into small wood pieces. I use the deep litter method so it's about 4" deep. My coop floor is 6' x 6' and it takes three bags, (@ $3 per bag) to fill it up. I only need to change it once or twice a year so that is pretty cheap. When I do change it, it all goes into my compost bins. I don't have any smell no matter how much the chickens poop in there. I turn it maybe every week if needed (mainly just under roosts) and the chickens do most of the turning themselves scratching around in there.

Ok this may sound silly to some of you. What do you mean Wood Pellets? Around here when someone refers to wood pellets that would be what is used in a heating stove for your house. Last time I was looking at alternative heating those bags were more like 10 dollars a bag. Unless it's a price difference due to location I was wondering if you mean what we here just call wood chips or sometimes mulch. That is about 3 dollars a bag around here. My large coop is 6x10 and we are getting ready to build another coop starting today. The new coop will be about 4x8 and for silkies only. I am currently using straw in the large coop with 10 large birds and don't have problems yet. But this is my first year with chickens so it is fresh new coop.

 

[sheeshshe]

Sheeshshe love your avatar!

Thank you!

 

[sheeshshe]

A split wing has a gap; it is missing the axilary feather.

Ok, that is what I thought it was. I'll have her check thanks for the reminder

 

[sweets3068]

Awe they are adorable! I can not wait for more baby silkies. I am scared to try hatching eggs as I have not done that yet. So I have tried looking for some within 4 hours drive or that will ship day old chicks.