Silkie thread!

[chickiebaby1]

 

[mom of silkies]

I have ten silkies! I love them!!!!

 

[Falena]

Can anyone provide me with some insight as to how well Silkie cockerels get along with one another once mature? I've got two Silkie cockerels and only one pullet. So far they get along famously, but they're only 6 weeks old and haven't "discovered girls" yet. I'm just trying to prepare for the possibility of having to get rid of one of them.


Gingy & Tika...my two Silkie boys.

I have two roos that were raised together from chicks, and they get along fine. They might scuffle a little here and there, but they've never even torn out feathers. One is 'Captain" roo, and the other is 'Second-in-Command". The head roo does a bit more breeding, while the other does more security detail. Of course, it helps that I have plenty of ladies so they don't have to squabble over them lol!

 

[LittleRedCoop53]

I have two silkie cockerels 9months old, raised together, but the bigger one was boss.
I separated them for breeding purposes(two, three months ago), having two different flocks...i've let them free range together and the bigger one chases the other one around a lot more now...i wouldn't keep them together in a closed off area....the larger male would just keep picking on the smaller one.
I think if i had left them together they would be fine, having their pecking order worked out.
I also didn't want my little guy to always be in the other ones shadow.....

 

[bantambury]

Im due to have 2, maybe 3 eggs to hatch on the 26th. Then i may get a few more silkies from my breeder. My eggs in the bator are from my frizzle partrige girl and my silkie cross boy. 75% silkie 25% japanese bantam chicks. Crossing my fingers all goes well!

Just ordered my premire one brooder yesterday as well! Anyone have it?

 

[DesertChic]

I'm really worried about my one and only Silkie pullet. We noticed when she was just 3 weeks old that she occasionally displayed this strange head bob...almost like she's dizzy and trying to focus. The occurrences have diminished since moving the birds to the coop, but I still witness the behavior daily. She seems otherwise healthy...eating and drinking well, pooping normally, and growing at a regular pace...but a few times per day she just seems dizzy...like a drunk chicken. None of the other chicks are displaying a similar behavior, and I've researched her condition ad nauseum. I'm hoping it's only a congenital defect. Any thoughts?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

She probably took a peck or hit her head on something. That's a pretty common issue with Silkies, so I'm surprised your research didn't turn up any answers. Most folks recommend vitamin B12 and selenium as a cure. I have a rooster who does it as well, and the vitamins and selenium didn't help him, but his head bobbing doesn't slow him down. When he first started, it was pretty bad. He looked like he was head banging to heavy metal or something. Its not as bad now, just a little wobble every now and then, but he still does it occasionally. He eats fine, drinks fine and manages to breed his hens without issue. He's the only Silkie I have that does it.
You could try the vitamins and selenium, lots of folks report success with it and it might help your girl (it certainly wouldn't hurt to try).

Good luck!

 

[DesertChic]

She probably took a peck or hit her head on something. That's a pretty common issue with Silkies, so I'm surprised your research didn't turn up any answers. Most folks recommend vitamin B12 and selenium as a cure. I have a rooster who does it as well, and the vitamins and selenium didn't help him, but his head bobbing doesn't slow him down. When he first started, it was pretty bad. He looked like he was head banging to heavy metal or something. Its not as bad now, just a little wobble every now and then, but he still does it occasionally. He eats fine, drinks fine and manages to breed his hens without issue. He's the only Silkie I have that does it.
You could try the vitamins and selenium, lots of folks report success with it and it might help your girl (it certainly wouldn't hurt to try).

Good luck!

Thank you so much for the feedback! And LOVE your screen name.

 

[bantambury]

I'm really worried about my one and only Silkie pullet. We noticed when she was just 3 weeks old that she occasionally displayed this strange head bob...almost like she's dizzy and trying to focus. The occurrences have diminished since moving the birds to the coop, but I still witness the behavior daily. She seems otherwise healthy...eating and drinking well, pooping normally, and growing at a regular pace...but a few times per day she just seems dizzy...like a drunk chicken. None of the other chicks are displaying a similar behavior, and I've researched her condition ad nauseum. I'm hoping it's only a congenital defect. Any thoughts?

If im not mistaken i think i remember a post in the disease and injuries section about a similar silkie....or naybe it was on here. Im not sure. Ill try to find it!

 

[mom of silkies]

that is weird what are you feeding? maybe she has it is a reaction to her feed?