Silkie thread!

[Sylvester017]

As with any breed , you won't know for sure until you introduce them. It is best to introduce your birds to each other through a wired petition and give them time to ' size ' each other up. Assuming that the birds are of similar or equal size , I can't see why they won't get along. I should stress that it is always best to isolate any new birds for a period of 4-6 weeks. This time allows you to properly assess the health of the birds.

X2

 

[chickachickayea]

New mama of 9 straight-run Silkie babies, all 2 weeks old as of yesterday. I love sitting with them and seeing their daily changes!

First day in their new home

3 days ago - they've gotten so big already!

Sleepy snuggles

 

[chickachickayea]

Also, curious... Is there any gender difference/significance of flat vs "spiky" combs at the 2 week stage? I've got my 9 straight-run babies and I know it's quite a waiting game to figure out who's who, but I thought I'd ask anyway!

"Spiky" comb on the left. Flat on the right.

 

[QueenMisha]

Also, curious... Is there any gender difference/significance of flat vs "spiky" combs at the 2 week stage? I've got my 9 straight-run babies and I know it's quite a waiting game to figure out who's who, but I thought I'd ask anyway!

"Spiky" comb on the left. Flat on the right.

No gender difference... the bird on the left has a single comb, which is considered incorrect for the breed, whereas the bird on the right has a correct walnut comb. Single combs and other incorrect combs are common in hatchery stock Silkies, though from what I know walnut is a difficult comb to breed for and so even in breeder stock, incorrect combs are pretty common.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Actually, walnut comb is dominant, so getting a correct comb is usual when both parents have correct combs. Now getting all the details perfectly correct is a lifetime of breeding, but this is in general, not specific to comb.

 

[QueenMisha]

Actually, walnut comb is dominant, so getting a correct comb is usual when both parents have correct combs.  Now getting all the details perfectly correct is a lifetime of breeding, but this is in general, not specific to comb.

Really? Interesting, I'd been told that incorrect combs were common by a local breeder I spoke to. Then again... she works largely with Sizzles as well as Silkies, which I bet would result in a lot of poor combs given the relatively recent introduction of Bantam Cochin blood to infuse the Frizzle gene (I think she has multiple generations but some are up to ~20 years old)...

 

[Fancychooklady]

Really? Interesting, I'd been told that incorrect combs were common by a local breeder I spoke to. Then again... she works largely with Sizzles as well as Silkies, which I bet would result in a lot of poor combs given the relatively recent introduction of Bantam Cochin blood to infuse the Frizzle gene (I think she has multiple generations but some are up to ~20 years old)...

I've only ever had 1 x straight comb in my 13 + years of keeping silkies. As I commented ealier, I wouldn't include any straight combed or 4x toed birds in my breeding program.

 

[chickachickayea]

@QueenMisha @Sonoran Silkies @Fancychooklady Interesting! Thank you all for your input! I have them strictly for egg production purposes, no intent on breeding, so any males will be rehomed.

 

[MooreAcresMama]

I want to know more about this breed. I am pretty new to chickens in general, but I love to learn. I want to get a few broody chickens in the next year or so. My husband and I are currently working on a new coop and run that is more safe and bigger for our current chickens ( we have 18 chicks at this time).

We live in Wyoming and it can get pretty hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Would this breed survive? Any info you guys could give me would be great! Thanks in advance!

 

[Aria]

does anyone have any pics of porcelain silkies as I was leaning towards the white I never knew how pretty the porcelain ones are and would love to see some pics of them to make sure before I decide that its the color I want to breed.

I LOVE the color of your avatar Silkie. What Color is that? Regards,
Aria