Silkie thread!

[NNYchick]

[QUOTE

So my few questions:

• Is Hermione an Isabel?
• What do you think of them are they decent quality birds?
• Is it possible that Hermione has gone broody?
• Will they ever love me (my other 3 came to us as 5-7 week babies so are used to being handled and come running in excitement when they see me. These 2 run away in terror )? And any tips please how to help this situation?

Thank you in advance, I welcome your advice and thoughts![/QUOTE]

Hi and welcome. Those are pretty Silkies. I do believe that Doris is cuckoo, Hermione looks white to me. It is possible that Hermione feels safer in the nest box or Doris / your other chickens are expressing dominance over her and keeping her off the roost at night. If she is going broody she will only come off the nest to eat drink and go back to it in, sit in a trance like stat and growl at you if you stick your hand in there. As far as getting them to trust you. As they are older they may never be snugglers but you can gain their trust with treats, try sitting on the ground and tossing treats closer and closer to you, try not to run after and chase them unless it’s an emergency. It will take time.
Good luck and enjoy your Silkies.

 

[PouleChick]

Oh and forgot to mention, I didn't think I wanted or needed a frizzle / sizzle until I read this thread You people are so bad

 

[PouleChick]

Hi @NNYchick thanks so much for your reply. No she is not white (this is what I originally wanted and decided that I just needed to get on with it!) she is a definite cream colour - almost the same all over. I only have 3 others (16 and 1 tha tis 18 weeks) and I've not put them together as one of my 'big girls' was being very pecky through the fence so at the moment it is just the 2 of them together (would ultimately love a fully integrated flock but prepared and have the space to be flexible if need be!) and if anything Doris seems to defer to Isabelle and put her head under her neck when she is scared - I actually wonder if she could be her mum.

Good advice on the chasing etc - I have waited until almost dark the last couple of nights and they ahve got into the coop themselves so hopefully they will start trusting me more. When it stops raining I can try to spend more time with them!

Those are pretty Silkies

Thank you I thought they were but picked them so quickly on a rainy horrid day in a darkish shed while trying to stop my 3 year old face planting in his very muddy yard so was lucky really that they are so lovely!

 

[PouleChick]

I'll try to get some more pics tomorrow with my proper camera to see if that helps!

 

[PouleChick]

Sorry other questions I had as I was reading through this huge thread! Do you al brush your silkies or is that only for shows? How do you give a haircut and do you think my Doris (the Cuckoo) needs one - to me she must barely be able to see!

 

[NNYchick]

Sorry other questions I had as I was reading through this huge thread! Do you al brush your silkies or is that only for shows? How do you give a haircut and do you think my Doris (the Cuckoo) needs one - to me she must barely be able to see!

I don’t brush my Silkies I give them dirt and wood ash to take a dust bath in, I only give them a bath if they have had an issue with poo sticking to thier feathers or feet otherwise they groom them selves. If they are not tame I would not attempt to trim around their eyes scissors and a flighty chicken could be dangerous. Maybe if you can get close try some painters tape or a hair tie.

 

[NNYchick]

@FishMtFarm or other silkie breeders near northern NY. Later this spring I’m looking for blue and splash chicks or possibly hatching eggs. Might consider a young splash roo, just not sure about how to go about integrating a cockerel with an established cockerel that will be a year next month. I need some friends for my blue girl.

 

[NNYchick]

My first hatched chickies are getting so big. I can’t believe that they will be 8 weeks old on Thursday.

 

[Hinotori]

Oh and forgot to mention, I didn't think I wanted or needed a frizzle / sizzle until I read this thread You people are so bad

They are cute aren't they. I love the crests on the males. I want a few showgirls but my hubby says no because he can't stand the necks

 

[Hinotori]

Sorry other questions I had as I was reading through this huge thread! Do you al brush your silkies or is that only for shows? How do you give a haircut and do you think my Doris (the Cuckoo) needs one - to me she must barely be able to see!

If you're not showing you can trim the crest right above the eyes. Enough to make a little open area so they can see better. The ponytails don't seem to stick for long enough before all the movement works them out.