Silkie thread!

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Unless mine are broody or molting, they lay daily. I did have one who only rarely laid, but most of mine have been consistently good layers until they went broody or began a molt. Tyeh typically raise the chicks for about 6 weeks to sometimes 8 weeks; I've only ever had one hen raise chicks longer than that, and it was not a silkie--she actually tried to "kick them out of the nest" so to speak, but they wouldn't let her--followed her around and hopped up to join her when she tried to get away from them; finally she relented and raised them for about 5 months total. It was cute seeing them huddle under her when they were nearly twice as large as she was. Swallow was a tiny thing--an araucana/d'uccle mix that might have had as much as 1/4 silkie in her. She laid Easter egg coloured pastel green eggs.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Thank you for the info and advice. My wife had/has her heart set on the silkies but once another user replied to me saying they will rarely lay regularly, we are second guessing our decision. We have pets already and even though any chickens we get will undoubtedly become pets so to speak, we were hoping to break even on eggs v. feed, etc. Before your reply, we had decided on four consistent laying hens and maybe just a few silkies because we thought they were so cute. We did read they get along well with other breeds so that's where were stand right now unless we are told otherwise.

Tim

I've never had a problem with largefowl (including roosters) bullying the silkies. Typically the smallest silkie hen demands top of the pecking order. About the only ones that challenge that are the geese.

 

[EZFarms]

One of thr other reasons we were gpnna use wood chips was out here a bale of hay is like $13 and a package of woodchips is $8-9 so its a bit cheaper

 

[laseterlass]

Is she a double frizzle? was she from a frizzle bred to a frizzle? If so her feathers will always fall out and she will most likely never get them all in. ChickyDee64 her brother/sister is a smooth and has a ton of red coming in all over =) It's a beautiful bird but I didn't need it so I sold it. I just love the solid black <3

I am not sure. I got her as an adult. She has both frizzle and silkied feathers. She does fine in the cold. I do bring her inside once it drops below 10 degrees. She is with my Bantam choc orps until her Roo matures.

 

[Fancychooklady]

One of thr other reasons we were gpnna use wood chips was out here a bale of hay is like $13 and a package of woodchips is $8-9 so its a bit cheaper

Cost and availability will always help with the decision making. Straw can be frightfully expensive too.

 

[laseterlass]

I lay down a few inches of wood stove pellets, sprinkle on DE cover that with pine shavings. I throw in a fleck of hay which they actually eat. They graze all summer on my lawn, hay in the winter gets them very excited. If they are going to have a cold night I throw in scratch before bed.

 

[EZFarms]

Well i have guinea pigs that i use the woodchips as litter for and a bag lasts them several months so id hope a bag would last with the bantams since they are smaller. do they make a less of a mess than the standard breeds?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: And straw poses a good hiding place for mites, and is also prone to mold. It would be about my last choice.

 

[EZFarms]

I use straw for my standard chickens and never had a problem with mites but have had a problem with mold in the past. it also packs together and makes it hard to clean.

 

[K Epp]

Thank you for the info and advice. My wife had/has her heart set on the silkies but once another user replied to me saying they will rarely lay regularly, we are second guessing our decision. We have pets already and even though any chickens we get will undoubtedly become pets so to speak, we were hoping to break even on eggs v. feed, etc. Before your reply, we had decided on four consistent laying hens and maybe just a few silkies because we thought they were so cute. We did read they get along well with other breeds so that's where were stand right now unless we are told otherwise.

Tim

This little girl is a non-bearded Silkie. She started laying at about 9 months and lays almost everyday and her eggs are pretty big. The advantage to a pet quality hatchery is their crest typically aren't as big there for they can see better than those with large crest. My girl will have half the treats gobbled up before those with big crest can find it. They may be getting a hair cut since I had a hawk attack today and one of my d'Uccle roos was killed protecting my Sizzle girl FiFi. All the silkie were in the coop so Prince Albert saved everyone, but his self. Non of the chickens will be free ranging with out me until I get that taken care of. Poor things were enjoying these warm days after the crazy Polar Vortex. I would get a couple extra to give them time to brood...


She is on the left.