Silkie thread!

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

I've got a 2.5 month old smooth silkie with green/yellow eyes, red comb and wattles, and white skin! Not pink, not yellow, but a very pale white!

S/he looks like a cockerel, but the behavior is very feminine. I guess we shall wait and see.

I got her from a silkie & serama breeder, and we told the breeder that we didn't need show quality, but were more concerned with feminine behavior and personal taste. (She's been breeding for red pile, and this is the first generation she's gotten it how she likes, so she might have bred out standard traits and plans on breeding them back in)

Since she's a smooth, she's got some Cochin back in her line. I'm wondering if any of these odd traits could come from the Cochin line, or if they crop up in pure silkies once in a while? And is there a chance the large wattles could be a feminine trait from the Cochin line?

 

[FirstTimeClucky]

I've got a 2.5 month old smooth silkie with green/yellow eyes, red comb and wattles, and white skin! Not pink, not yellow, but a very pale white!
View attachment 1169277 View attachment 1169278

S/he looks like a cockerel, but the behavior is very feminine. I guess we shall wait and see.

I got her from a silkie & serama breeder, and we told the breeder that we didn't need show quality, but were more concerned with feminine behavior and personal taste. (She's been breeding for red pile, and this is the first generation she's gotten it how she likes, so she might have bred out standard traits and plans on breeding them back in)

Since she's a smooth, she's got some Cochin back in her line. I'm wondering if any of these odd traits could come from the Cochin line, or if they crop up in pure silkies once in a while? And is there a chance the large wattles could be a feminine trait from the Cochin line?

Here are a couple of pics of my pure Cochin hen so you can compare the head type. She has a big behind because of her curly butt feathers. She tucks her fluffy feet underneath to keep them warm. Personality wise she's a talkative little sweetheart.

 

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

Here are a couple of pics of my pure Cochin hen so you can compare the head type. She has a big behind because of her curly butt feathers. She tucks her fluffy feet underneath to keep them warm. Personality wise she's a talkative little sweetheart.

Thank you! Your hen is so beautiful. She looks very regal! This gives me a bit of hope for female, provided the wattles and comb don't get any bigger. Im noticing her body shape also seems more Cochin than silkie to me, but she's got the silkie toe count and her feathers go wispy at the edges and tips. I'm really excited to see how she grows out.

 

[black_dove2]

My neighbor's boy showed me his new blue silkie chick and then asked me if I wanted it. I was planning in future years or so to add another hen.

I have a Danish Brown and RIR. Both laying now about 7 months old.

I understand introducing new birds pretty much like dogs. I thought they wouldn't do well here in the desert but he got it from a breeder here in town. My 2 did fine this last summer in 110+ temps.

I was thinking maybe she,/he may be too small to fit in with the others. Since I'm not really ready (I wasn't when I got the others either) I should give it back to the parents. They live next door.

I don't know anything about silkies except they're pretty awesome looking and heard friendly.

All opinions welcome. Thanks

 

[Natanya]

I don't know anything about silkies except they're pretty awesome looking and heard friendly.

I've learned a lot about Silkies since I got a handfull of them this summer. They can have vaulted skulls. All crested chicken breeds have small soft spots on their heads, but vaulted skulls have larger soft spots that really leave them vulnerable to sustaining brain damage. Feel this silkie's head to see if it has a flat or vaulted skull, if it's vaulted I wouldn't recommend letting her around larger birds that may pick on her, because one poorly placed peck could leave you with a damaged wrynecking bird.

If she's got a vaulted skull she'll need to be kept with only birds of a similar size and demeanor, or be kept apart from other birds.

 

[black_dove2]

Thank you. I spoke with parents and they're going to see if breeder will be able to take back. If not I'm keeping it. Breeder said they are showbirds so I don't see how he would want to return to flock. Wouldn't there be concern for some contamination?

At how many weeks can you tell sex of a silkie?

 

[AlleysChicks]

I have 2 questions at the moment.

1.) how long do breeders grow out their birds typically?

2.) do any of you ship silkie eggs? And what do you charge?

I’m trying to get everything figured out before spring time.

 

[Thehappyheifer]

He /she was sold to me as black. Parents were white roo and black hen. His (base feathers?) are a very light grey/silver. Will this chick be black or molt into another color? ( not that it matters,but speculating is fun. My vote is also on cockerel, that's left to be seen. )

 

[kellyloveschad]

OK I have some questions I would greatly love help with!
1.Is a mommy silkie enough to keep this baby alive in the harsh winter?
2. I tarped my whole covered run so my chickens have more run in the winter should I block off the uncovered untarped area? or will it be ok for my silkies to go in the snow if they choose to?

 

[FishMtFarm]

OK I have some questions I would greatly love help with!
1.Is a mommy silkie enough to keep this baby alive in the harsh winter?
2. I tarped my whole covered run so my chickens have more run in the winter should I block off the uncovered untarped area? or will it be ok for my silkies to go in the snow if they choose to?


View attachment 1172249 View attachment 1172251 View attachment 1172250 View attachment 1172248 View attachment 1172252 View attachment 1172253

Yes Momma is enough to keep baby alive and well. I have done it several times in the past and my hens kept babies warm and fed all winter.