Silkie thread!

[kajira]

Thanks! I didn't really think there was a good way to sex them, but that's okay! I just picked up my 8 new babies. The manager at RK told me not to feed/water them for 5-6 hours since they just came from the post office this morning. Is this true? It just seems really strange to me to withhold after they've already been in transit for a day!

You'll kill those chicks. Give them food and water NOW. I always dip my shipped chicks with in minutes of bringing them home in water in the brooder.

Also - Go back and tell him that that advice will kill chicks. They've been with out access to food and water for 24+ hours at this point, and they NEED to drink and eat to help them over-come their trip.

 

[HoosierSilkie]

You'll kill those chicks. Give them food and water NOW. I always dip my shipped chicks with in minutes of bringing them home in water in the brooder.

Also - Go back and tell him that that advice will kill chicks. They've been with out access to food and water for 24+ hours at this point, and they NEED to drink and eat to help them over-come their trip.

I already fixed them up and they're happy little babies. I called RK, but I don't think it made much difference. They said they have to follow their hatchery guidelines. I just pray the other babies are okay.

 

[kajira]

I already fixed them up and they're happy little babies. I called RK, but I don't think it made much difference. They said they have to follow their hatchery guidelines. I just pray the other babies are okay.

All hatchery instructions I've ever been sent, set to have food/water setup in the brooder right away, and to dip their beaks in the water upon arrival to get them up and moving safely.

 

[buckinblue]

I have a question, I really would like a silkie to add to my flock, but they want 35$-40$ for a one year old hen around where I live, does that seem like a normal price for a silkie?

 

[kajira]

I have a question, I really would like a silkie to add to my flock, but they want 35$-40$ for a one year old hen around where I live, does that seem like a normal price for a silkie?

That's not a bad price for a pet quality silkie.

I would charge more than that for an adult hen. Thinka bout it like this - if you have a flock that requires 1 50lbs bag of feed a month, that's 10-15 dollars a bag.
By the time your hen is an adult, that's 12 bags of feed for the flock.

Even if you break down the feed, the time, care and effort raising the birds, you're getting a pretty good deal.

 

[buckinblue]

Good way to think about it, thank you for the reply

 

[HoosierSilkie]

That's not a bad price for a pet quality silkie.

I would charge more than that for an adult hen. Thinka bout it like this - if you have a flock that requires 1 50lbs bag of feed a month, that's 10-15 dollars a bag.
By the time your hen is an adult, that's 12 bags of feed for the flock.

Even if you break down the feed, the time, care and effort raising the birds, you're getting a pretty good deal.

Not to mention, you'll know that you're getting a hen. I just got 8 silkie chicks ($4/each) that I will spend lots of time and money on, but won't know if they're hens until quite some time from now. If there were any silkie hens available in my area, I would have gladly paid that amount to eliminate the time and guesswork.

 

[TalkBahk2Me]

Not to mention, you'll know that you're getting a hen. I just got 8 silkie chicks ($4/each) that I will spend lots of time and money on, but won't know if they're hens until quite some time from now. If there were any silkie hens available in my area, I would have gladly paid that amount to eliminate the time and guesswork.

I'm in agreement with you all!

Wow, around me that is impossible to find one so reasonable- The pet hens go for $50. Show quality, I'm seeing 75-90+ avg.

Silkies typically lay 2-4 eggs a 7 day week.(less turn over ratio than other breeds)
The breeders spend a lot of time, money, and travels tracking down worthy birds to breed together.
The hens take longer than other birds to mature. They are more sensitive to weather and general environment conditions than others. The chicks are imo more delicate and need to be watched as the hatch etc. So much time and money into chicks rather than buying a guaranteed finished product and taking the guess work out of wondering if she is a she or if its going to grow up pretty or not what you were hoping for.

Simple- it's nice to buy a Finished product if you can!
And then you can almost immediately start hatching your own from her eggs!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Wow... I must sell mine super cheap!!

 

[Crazy For Color]

Little Miss Fluffy Butt found a nice warm spot in the sun =) She is 8 months old and we're hoping she starts laying eggs soon