Silkie thread!

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Has anyone ever had a baby start twitching its head. I thought maybe mits from mom I didn't see any.. gave her a dawn bath anyway... everything else is normal..

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By any chance did this start around the same time that her crest feathers started growing?

My chicks are 5 weeks old now and the ones with the biggest crests are doing quick shakes/twitches of their heads. It's a couple of times a minute when I have them out of their brooder.

Mine don't have mites but I'm guessing it's simply down to their crest feathers irritating them as they grow.

Growing feathers can be painful and most likely itchy as a new experience, especially around the face.

New feathers will be hanging over their eyes and they will think it's something hanging or on their head hence why they shake it.

I'd only worry if you notice your chick acting ill or subdued.

As the chick grows, she should get used to the crest being over her eyes.

Mites and lice are fairly easy to see on young chicks, especially white ones. I believe you would have seen them by now. It's always good practice to keep checking the vent area, under the wings and around the crest and neck for mites and lice as they can be very easily caught. Particularly if you decide to free range.

How old is your little chick? She's pretty!

Here are my two I've decided to keep, their crests just starting to explode out:

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Does anyone have any idea if this comb is correct? Loki is 14 weeks old and crowing. I’ve known he was a roo since about seven weeks. His comb grew very early. I’m not sure if it is correct though. Any ideas?

I believe that is still classed as a walnut comb but it's not the best example of one. A walnut comb should be more smooth looking with little 'wrinkles' in it and more round in shape rather than long. Like a big cushion! There shouldn't be no lumps or nodules sticking up out of it. It should also be black or mulberry (dark red).

Are your plans to show him? Ultimately his comb could change as he grows but I'm unsure on how it will eventually look as I've never had one with a similar comb before.

Here's an example, my males comb:

 

[OneMountainAcres]

My silkie x silkie feathered ameraucana chicks are growing up! I'm liking what I'm seeing so far!

 

[mamablair]

My silkies a blue? cockerel and still unknown paint. I love them. They are definitely my favorite of all my chickens. Just don't tell the rest if my flock.

 

[sue25]

Does anyone have any idea if this comb is correct? Loki is 14 weeks old and crowing. I’ve known he was a roo since about seven weeks. His comb grew very early. I’m not sure if it is correct though. Any ideas?

This is the Walnut comb of a roo.

This is a hen she has a very small comb comparetivly.

 

[sue25]

I haven't been on this thread for awhile. Hope everyone is doing ok and hope no one is in the path of Doria in Florida.

 

[sue25]

I have a few new babies. Self Blue,white,black and partridge.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Yet another chick I've decided to keep as a growout!

Called it Tiramisu

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I'm looking for some help!

I've been asked quite often how I get my white silkies so white so I was going to make a bathing article about it.

I guess that would go into the managing your flock section.

My question Is how do I add the main article image? I know how to add images onto the article but not on the articles thumbnail thingy.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

So, if anyone is ever looking for Silkie bathing/cleaning advice, I've just finished my article on how I prepare mine for a show!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/bathing-silkies-how-to-keep-them-bright-fluffy.75262/