Silkie thread!

[sheeshshe]

but when I hatched shipped eggs, I had a mixture. I suppose it probably depends on the gene pool itself?

 

[ChickNmamma]

but when I hatched shipped eggs, I had a mixture. I suppose it probably depends on the gene pool itself?

Yes. Since the shipped eggs had a mix of a bunch of different backgrounds where they were carrying hidden genes (Partridge, White, Lavender) that would throw a monkey wrench in the whole "Predict the Color" guesses. You can only predict the colors when you know ALL the color genes the bird is carrying - and with Silkies that's almost impossible because of the Silkied feathers which do not show patterns well and because people have been mixing the colors up and calling them whatever they look like on the outside. The dominant genes can be seen - but imperfectly. The recessives would only show up when you have two copies. Breed 100 chicks from the same pair and you might have a better guess what they carry... then breed the father over the daughters to find the recessives he carries, and the sons over the mother to find hers.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Just sharing, I gave my splash pullet a bath today. She was super dirty- dirt clumped beard, poop in her foot feathers, the whole shebang. She thoroughly enjoyed the blow dry portion of her spa day, turning this way and that, lifting up her wings and such. Enjoy

By the way, I apologize for the commode in the background, it wasn't warm enough for an outside bath. Oh, and I wouldn't blame you one bit if you said I didn't do a very good job with the whole getting her clean part

 

[Fancychooklady]

Just sharing, I gave my splash pullet a bath today. She was super dirty- dirt clumped beard, poop in her foot feathers, the whole shebang. She thoroughly enjoyed the blow dry portion of her spa day, turning this way and that, lifting up her wings and such. Enjoy

By the way, I apologize for the commode in the background, it wasn't warm enough for an outside bath. Oh, and I wouldn't blame you one bit if you said I didn't do a very good job with the whole getting her clean part

She is gorgeous !

 

[minihorse927]

my black roo is apparently a really dark blue. I'm still thrilled with my new addition, she will have a Cochin chick for a friend until some more silkies hatch tomorrow.

 

[ChickNmamma]

my black roo is apparently a really dark blue. I'm still thrilled with my new addition, she will have a Cochin chick for a friend until some more silkies hatch tomorrow.

Ah hah - way to find out his "true" colors!

Completely cute!

 

[chickeneer45]

I am looking for paint, buff, splash, lavender, and porcelain silkie eggs or chicks. Anyone selling or shipping? They don't have to be show or breeding quality as long as they are silkies. thanks
I am in Virginia

 

[I<3MyChickens-Jewel&Flash]

Omg I'm so happy. Idk if my roo was doing his job but I cracked one of hens eggs and low n behold fertile.

I put one egg in incubator the fist she laid. She did,t lay for a good 5 days. They were houses together for a week prior . Hoping the fist egg was fertile.

I know people say not to raise chick by its self. I did wih my hen and she is wonderful. I'm home all the time anyways.

she is a beautiful blue hen and roo is a splash bit dark splash instead of the lighter blue I see most of the time.

wonder what color the chick would be...its a 50 50 shot lol hope girl too

 

[Aria]

I havr silkies but dont know much about their sleeping habits.... mine want to lay in a big fuzzy pile on the ground at night! Ive heard people say they wont roost because they have too many toes.... but ive also heard thats redic and they should roost just fine. Mine would just rather pile up and sleep making them easy target for predators. They are so spoiled and are terrified of going in the coop with the adult flock. So Ive had to keep them in a rabbit hutch to stay safe. They have a boared in there to roost on but I always find them piled on the bottom. I need silkie advice for my 3 spoiled babies!

How old are they?  Many silkies pile up at night, and if you look at the structure of the pile, the boys tend to be on the outside, on patrol duty, as it were.  The girl who is highest in the pecking order tends to be in the center of the pile, and as they are lower in the order, the farther out they are  If there are chicks, they snuggle at the bottom of the pile under whichever chicken is convenient.  Summer piles tend to be very flat (one deep) and spread out.  Winter piles tend to be taller and much more compact.  Silkies can roost, but many don't choose to.  And some do, but they generally prefer lower roosts of maybe a foot or two.  Piling up versus roosting makes no difference to predator protection so long as the placement of the pile is in a secure location.

We just lost our Rooster. Now our hens seem to be acting different. They stay in
the Barn more.

Do you think it is my imagination? Or do Silkie Hens need a Rooster to direct them in and
out of the Barn? Regards, Aria

 

[laseterlass]

Roosters are protectors. I just posted in show off your roosters what our roos did today. I am so thankful for them.