Silkie thread!

[moomoodiddy]

1. Yup, they're very broody. Mine go broody a couple times a year.
2. They might lay a few times a week. The eggs aren't huge but they're decent sized for a bantam.
3. They make great moms! A lot of people use them as natural incubators because they're such good parents.
4. The majority of cockerels and cocks I've met have been quite nice.
5. They'll be fully grown by 20 weeks or so and probably begin laying 22-30 weeks.

If you want REAL Silkies, go to a breeder. Hatcheries churn out birds that somewhat resemble Silkies, but they do not have nearly the type you would expect from a proper Silkie. (Which basically means significantly less fluff and probably a very small crest, potentially no beard).

I have been wanting to tell you this for a while, I just keep on forgetting, but I love your profile picture.

 

[n3kms]

I think your right. Couldn't see the last one's head good, though.

Thanks. Can you tell by looking if someone might lay an egg soon. They are so much different from other chickens.

 

[beagleman77]

Thank you all I think I'm just going to get some from a small breeder I am not going to show them so looks don't matter to me

 

[bit o poultry19]

I'm thinking about getting silkies from mcmurray hatchery I know they are straight run but I wanted to see what the quality of them are like
1 do they still go broody
2 how often do they lay
3 are they good moms
4 are the roosters calm
5 how many weeks to maturity
Thx in advance

I heard that silkies from Ideal Poultry are much better quality than other hatcheries but I don't know for sure I'm thinking of getting some this year

 

[Fancychooklady]

Does the Silkie Mom have rules that would not be in place without her?
My Broody outside has a differently behaved flock than the ones in the brooder.

I have been watching since the hatch. She keeps the peace always. The Brooder babies are like toddlers unsupervised on the playground.

Brooder raised chicks are a world apart from momma raised. They are handled much more and hence are usually friendlier. Yes momma makes noises when there is food , danger and just time to ' pull your head in '.

 

[QueenMisha]

I have been wanting to tell you this for a while, I just keep on forgetting, but I love your profile picture. 

Thanks! Dean's my favorite fictional character and I'm not brave enough to put up a pic of myself, so it just made sense.

I heard that silkies from Ideal Poultry are much better quality than other hatcheries but I don't know for sure I'm thinking of getting some this year

I wouldn't say they're much better but there is a difference. They have a bit better type, nicely feathered feet, usually decently dark skin, although they still have a tendency to lack a real, proper crest. I have seen one Partridge from them that was inexplicably quite good; dare I see she even looked breeder quality. This was 1/20 birds, the rest were all normal. So yes, if you're going to purchase from a hatchery, go for Ideal, but if a breeder is available I would always say go breeder first. With simple laying hens like production BRs or RIRs, for example, looks don't matter a bit so hatcheries are a fine option, but since Silkies are basically exclusively ornamental, even if you aren't showing you may as well get the Real Deal.

 

[abbevilleoz]

I'm thinking about getting silkies from mcmurray hatchery I know they are straight run but I wanted to see what the quality of them are like
1 do they still go broody
2 how often do they lay
3 are they good moms
4 are the roosters calm
5 how many weeks to maturity
Thx in advance

Here is a Meyer's Hatchery Silkie cockrell:

He's what won me over to Silkies. He's all rooster, but still feeds out of my hand. I adopted him from a friend. She has his "sisters" who are less than 8 mos. old, are actively laying and broody. One just hatched her first clutch.
These are show stock from a local breeder:

They are very gentle and will sit in your lap for as long as you want to pet them. My wife loves the show stock because of their look. I'm fine with the pet quality just because I like to see their eyes. Six of one, half dozen of the other. If you want any chicken that's more true to the SOP go with a reputable breeder. The overstock will be easier to sell at a good price as well, I would assume. If that's not important and you just want good chickens go with a hatchery. Some hatcheries do advertise better stock in certain breeds they carry. Just my two cents.

 

[abbevilleoz]

P.S.>. I like it that Cackle Hatchery has a complete YouTube channel which shows their breeding stock and chicks for each breed they sell. Murrary McMurray has a good channel but they only show the chicks as do some other breeders.

 

[tjo804]

Quote: I think I saw you on the Cochin thread as well. I got some from Ideal they have very good personalities. I like the cochin roo better than the Silkie he seems more gentle. the Silkie also has *little dog syndrome* and he was handled more than the Cochin was. the Cochin comes when i crow or make throat noises and will sit on my leg. The Silkie wants to be the boss. They are in different coop/run set ups for now. The Cochin does share space with a 5 yr old bantam game roo So that might make a difference.

One of the Silkies Sat her first hatch this December and they are not a year old yet. a second Silkie went broody at the same time and one of the Cochin kept eggs warm while they went to eat and doodle. The Cochin did not get full on Broody but she is showing signs of it now.

Here are a couple of pics of my Ideal Silkies





The Blue in the back is the Cockerel.


Also I would note
the silkie roo has a single comb.

the Cochin have Vulture hocks.
This is my Cochin Cockerel

 

[bit o poultry19]

I think I saw you on the Cochin thread as well. I got some from Ideal they have very good personalities. I like the cochin roo better than the Silkie he seems more gentle. the Silkie also has *little dog syndrome* and he was handled more than the Cochin was. the Cochin comes when i crow or make throat noises and will sit on my leg. The Silkie wants to be the boss. They are in different coop/run set ups for now. The Cochin does share space with a 5 yr old bantam game roo So that might make a difference. One of the Silkies Sat her first hatch this December and they are not a year old yet. a second Silkie went broody at the same time and one of the Cochin kept eggs warm while they went to eat and doodle. The Cochin did not get full on Broody but she is showing signs of it now. Here are a couple of pics of my Ideal Silkies The Blue in the back is the Cockerel.

They are such beauties!! I love your cochins are they also from Ideal?