Silkie thread!

[jas humbert]

How often do silkies go broody? And what age do they start? I have one that is about 10 month old and one that is about 7 month old and neither have started laying or gone broody yet.

It really varies a lot with the individual bird. I had one silkie girl start laying right at 6 months old and her hatchmate not start laying until she was 9 months old. The one who started laying at 6 months went broody about 9-10 months old the first time. But then most of the rest of the girls joined her within a month or so- even the one who had only been laying a month. I had another one a few years back who was more like 15 months old before she went broody the first time. Some are broody once a year, some 4-5 time a year. Sometimes it not just their age, its the time of year, if another hen is going broody or just because it is very inconvenient time for you right then.

 

[ChickenGrass]

Afew of my silkie chicks in with cream legbars
The silkies are the black ones

 

[abbevilleoz]

Afew of my silkie chicks in with cream legbars
The silkies are the black ones

Sweet! Would you tell me what kind of brooder plate your using and how you like it?

 

[vpatt]

I have a little silkie that was given to me. I was told it is a pullet, but i am beginning to wonder. It is black but has developed a brown collar. Do you think that could mean it is a roo or just poor breeding? I like the little chicken and it will remain a pet no matter what. I will go out later and see if i can see any of the spiky feathers in the topknot. I hadnt noticed that before but i wasnt looking for it. Sorry i have no photos.

I.meant to add that it is at least six months old, maybe older.

 

[QueenMisha]

Sweet! Would you tell me what kind of brooder plate your using and how you like it?

Not who you were talking to, but it looks like a Brinsea EcoGlow! I got one as a gift this past Christmas and I freakin LOVE IT. It's tough, pretty easy to clean, the chicks seem to love it, plus it doesn't produce any light and can't start a fire! I'd highly recommend it. My only regret is that mine is the twenty chick version, not the fifty!

 

[abbevilleoz]

Not who you were talking to, but it looks like a Brinsea EcoGlow! I got one as a gift this past Christmas and I freakin LOVE IT. It's tough, pretty easy to clean, the chicks seem to love it, plus it doesn't produce any light and can't start a fire! I'd highly recommend it. My only regret is that mine is the twenty chick version, not the fifty!

Need to invest in one. The hanging lamp is a pain, too. You can sell me yours so you can get the bigger one.

 

[ChickenGrass]

Sweet! Would you tell me what kind of brooder plate your using and how you like it?

Hi yes it is a brinsea eco glow for 20 chicks
I have 2 of them and would highly recommend
Them.
I would give them 10/10
I have never had a problem with them
Goodluck

 

[ChickenGrass]

I have a little silkie that was given to me. I was told it is a pullet, but i am beginning to wonder. It is black but has developed a brown collar. Do you think that could mean it is a roo or just poor breeding? I like the little chicken and it will remain a pet no matter what. I will go out later and see if i can see any of the spiky feathers in the topknot. I hadnt noticed that before but i wasnt looking for it. Sorry i have no photos.

I.meant to add that it is at least six months old, maybe older.

Post a picture of him/her
A silkie hen or roo shouldn't have
Any brown on them at all.
I would say it's poor breeding.
Post a picture and we will let you know
If it's a hen or roo

 

[moomoodiddy]

No, she hasn't raised chickens since she was little. What breeds are you looking for?

some decent quality meat or dual purpose birds

 

[WVduckchick]

Need to invest in one. The hanging lamp is a pain, too. You can sell me yours so you can get the bigger one.

I have the same brooder plate, and I also love it! You won't regret the investment.

I found mine on Amazon, through Wayfair (I buy from Wayfair quite a bit also) and they had it as a brand new customer return. I got it for $34!! But I won't hesitate to buy another, even at full price.