Silkie thread!

[Fancychooklady]

Hello all! I'm brand new to raising chickens. I got a white silkie from a breeder. I was told it was a hen, but I'm not 100%. I'm not as concerned at this point about the sex, but more so as to how unsocial she is with me. She runs and will fly if we try to pick her up. She won't even eat from my hand. We've had her since she was 2 weeks old. Any thoughts? Is this normal of an 8 week silkie chick? These pictures were about 2 weeks ago I think. Thanks! Traci

Probably still to young to sex. I sit on the ground and sprinkle feed close to my legs from the first week. They eventually become accustomed to you . When silkies are in a mixed flock they can be a bit skittish . Treats are the universal language. Scrambled egg, sardines or meal worms will win you favour.

 

[Sylvester017]

I wouldn't ' throw the baby out with the water ' just yet. The spikes in crest look more like pin feathers to me. Could still be a hen, and I'm usually 50% correct on these things.

50% ?? That's pretty darn good LOL !

Our breeder said our two Partridges were pullets until one started crowing and mounting his sister! He was promptly returned. So sad because we aren't zoned for roos.

 

[Fancychooklady]

50% ??  That's pretty darn good LOL !  

Our breeder said our two Partridges were pullets until one started crowing and mounting his sister!  He was promptly returned.  So sad because we aren't zoned for roos.

Yes I am brutal honest when it comes to sexing chickens. I have a man picking up 2 x day old silkies this morning to keep his lone chick company. I've made it very clear that there is no way of sexing them and if they turn out to be Roos that he will have to rehome them. He's happy with that.

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

Why don't you measure it out and mark it both ways! Then you decide which looks better or would work better? That would be the easiest thing to do! Why are you going to fill it with sand? Chickens love eating grass!

I have a friend that told me he stretched streamers across the top of his wire pen. He said it confuses the flying predators and they can't get a good bead on a chicken to go after. Made good sense to me!

We also purchased several of the popup tents and fenced them in. They make great covered pens during the day when you can't keep a constant watch on them.

I've told my husband many times we'll be a lot richer, moneywise when we don't have chickens! Years ago my daughter gave me money for my birthday! She told me; "Don't spend it on your chickens either!" LOL

TC

I think that's what ill do is set it up both ways and see which looks better where we are putting it was once a garden but is now just dirt/weeds that we sprayed weeks ago so hoping its safe to put them on. So there's no grass and I figure any grass will eventually die anyway in there so I figured sand would be nice for digging, dust bathing, and I can scoop it out clean like a litter box so it stays cleaner for them id like to cover it for shade and rain so I don't have to worry when they are in it most the time then I could probably make a smaller turn out spot in the sun for when the weather is good I hope prey birds ate not an issue around here in the city. I want to make that whole sports into a nice sitting area with a swing

 

[emvickrey]

Probably still to young to sex. I sit on the ground and sprinkle feed close to my legs from the first week. They eventually become accustomed to you . When silkies are in a mixed flock they can be a bit skittish . Treats are the universal language. Scrambled egg, sardines or meal worms will win you favour.

Alot of handling and treats will win it's attention. It looks to young to tell the sex of just yet. I've found that chicks this young are skiddish unless they are a lone chick. Silkies are very social and being alone is a bad thing so when I have a lone chick it gets taken out of it's brooder and given attention every day. These chicks are alot friendlier and welcome the attention once they figure out they are safe with you.

 

[subhanalah]

I wouldn't ' throw the baby out with the water ' just yet. The spikes in crest look more like pin feathers to me. Could still be a hen, and I'm usually 50% correct on these things.

 

[itstrist]

Turns out ideal poultry had some silkies available in June so I ordered 6 and they'll be here June 11! I'm so excited!! 6 white and 6 blue

 

[I<3MyChickens-Jewel&Flash]

does anyone know where I can get any Silkie chicks or Fertile silkie eggs this late in the season? everywhere around me is completely out OHIO

I should have some in 3 weeks. My Lydia just went sitting today. I'm monroe ohio

 

[itstrist]

I should have some in 3 weeks. My Lydia just went sitting today. I'm monroe ohio

I got some, thank you though!

 

[I<3MyChickens-Jewel&Flash]

I know if I'm having a bad day. .. seeing these faces makes it all better.

So looking forward to getting chick's from Lydia. She went broody this morning. ... on 12 eggs.

I think I have a pretty variety of silkies. Don't know what I'm going to get from my eggs.

The father of eggs is Roman. Maybe Ichabod but I think Ichabod is not fertile. Emery and Lydia are the only ones laying. Astrid almost old enough