Silkie thread!

[Sanna]

I'm still looking for a silver partridge or grey cockerel or rooster.

I am beginning to wonder how the greys got approved, because no one seems to have any boys! LOL

I am going to the NEPC next week. Or, I will accept shipping....

I have a grey boy

Not the most typical looking grey, but he's a gray. And not sure if I'd ever be willing to let this one go. Then again, he's not your best silkie specimen anyway when it comes to the SOP.

But! All his chicks are much nicer than he is out of hens that don't look like much.

Are you looking for a good breeding quality?

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I'm still looking for a silver partridge or grey cockerel or rooster.

I am beginning to wonder how the greys got approved, because no one seems to have any boys! LOL

I am going to the NEPC next week. Or, I will accept shipping....:yiipchick

Too bad you aren't closer, I have a dark blue boy in need of a new home. He is definantly pet quality but if you were here you could have him for free if you wanted him!

 

[aoxa]

What's a good feed for Silkies? I have some that I'd like to show in April and I changed them off the layer pellet to a 16% crumble. I'm not really sure what else to add in there to help them out. I've been reading all sorts of things but my head is starting to spin.

I never was good at any of this nutrition stuff...humans or animals.
I mixed up some shell less sunflower seed in the crumble. I was also told flax seed is good for them. Now the problem is, I don't know what any of this is. I do know that the sunflower seed is a good source of protein. What does the flax seed do?

Oh, a woman I bought some Cochins from, recomended this for a feed: 20% crumble (which our feed store didn't sell), Sea Kelp concentrate, Flax Seed, Wheat Germ, and Brewers yeast.
How's that for a mix?

I also read all the fermented feed -talk you guys had in this thread. I don't want to start up on that sort of a 'project' just yet and confuse our staff.

It's not rocket science if I were to make the feed, all they have to do is feed the birds, but sometimes even a simple task like that that seems very difficult for some people around here.

Wait.. Staff?

 

[marquisella]

Quote:

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

What's a good feed for Silkies? I have some that I'd like to show in April and I changed them off the layer pellet to a 16% crumble. I'm not really sure what else to add in there to help them out. I've been reading all sorts of things but my head is starting to spin.

I never was good at any of this nutrition stuff...humans or animals.
I mixed up some shell less sunflower seed in the crumble. I was also told flax seed is good for them. Now the problem is, I don't know what any of this is. I do know that the sunflower seed is a good source of protein. What does the flax seed do?

Oh, a woman I bought some Cochins from, recomended this for a feed: 20% crumble (which our feed store didn't sell), Sea Kelp concentrate, Flax Seed, Wheat Germ, and Brewers yeast.
How's that for a mix?

I also read all the fermented feed -talk you guys had in this thread. I don't want to start up on that sort of a 'project' just yet and confuse our staff.

It's not rocket science if I were to make the feed, all they have to do is feed the birds, but sometimes even a simple task like that that seems very difficult for some people around here.

People closer to you can tell you good brands that are available in your area. Only a few brands are sold nationally. Purina is one, Manna Pro is another. I use Manna Pro and am happy with it. Sunflower and flax seeds provide good oils. Safflower seeds are also good. None of these are for increasing protein. Pumpkin seed WILL raise protein levels. So will meat or fish. IMO, 16% is too low, especially during or after a molt. Try a turkey/gamebird starter or grower ration. They usually have higher protein content. I'm wondering if the crumble you switched to is merely a layer crumble rather than a layer pellet?

Brewers yeast, wheat germ and sea kelp are good nutrition supplements

 

[aoxa]

People closer to you can tell you good brands that are available in your area. Only a few brands are sold nationally. Purina is one, Manna Pro is another. I use Manna Pro and am happy with it. Sunflower and flax seeds provide good oils. Safflower seeds are also good. None of these are for increasing protein. Pumpkin seed WILL raise protein levels. So will meat or fish. IMO, 16% is too low, especially during or after a molt. Try a turkey/gamebird starter or grower ration. They usually have higher protein content. I'm wondering if the crumble you switched to is merely a layer crumble rather than a layer pellet?

Brewers yeast, wheat germ and sea kelp are good nutrition supplements

Sonoran,

Any thoughts on how much protein is too much?

My chickens get meat frequently. It is their favourite above all else. They will pick a carcass clean to the bone. I should rent them out as bone cleaners.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Well, I have seen gamebird feed that is mid-30-40% and IMO that is suitable only if you are going to do some serious mixing of feeds. There is a 26% gamebird starter that I occasionally use, but I do tend to mix it with other feeds to reduce the protein somewhat. I guess I aim at 21-22%.

 

[sheeshshe]

I'm still looking for a silver partridge or grey cockerel or rooster.

I am beginning to wonder how the greys got approved, because no one seems to have any boys! LOL

I am going to the NEPC next week. Or, I will accept shipping....

I WANT THOSE EGGS!! in your avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sheeshshe]

I have some wheat berries downstairs. I tried sprouting them once and giving them to the chickens but they didnt' seem interested, and I was shocked! blah. should I try again?

 

[appps]

Ju

I had to coop up my Silkies up today, which is a real shame, bc even though the sky is grey it's not all that cold out. I let my biddies out this morning, gave them their normal "breakfast" treat then went back inside to take a shower. As I was getting dressed after, I heard a chicken rukus. When I went outside to see what was up, I found my neighbors cat playing tag with them  This same cat has cleaned all but 5 of my beautiful koi out of our ornamental pond, pees down the winshield of my car and constantly craps in my flower beds- I have absolutely had ENOUGH! I found him on my porch yesterday marking the side of my house, right next to the front door! I can't tolerate him anymore. So, tonight I'll set a nice can of tuna in my have-a-heart trap for him. Then I'll drive him to the furthest animal shelter possible since said neighbor works at out local shelter. Which is probably the reason why she has 14 cats and 4 dogs! I've never had a problem with any of the others, but this cat has been a terror since she brought it home (not to mention it always has nasty, runny, goopy eyes). My DH is going to build a nice covered run for my Silks, but for now they're stuck with what they've got. Why? WHY?!?!?!?!?!
Nikki

Good luck!! My dad tried that with a stray tom our neighbors adopted that kept beating the crap out of our desexed cat.

The day it got inside peed behind the lounge and tried to beat him up in our own house dad caught him, jammed him in a box, and was taking him to the shelter.

Trouble was this thing howled and carried on like you wouldn't believe. Think it was really half feral. And it made so much noise when he was loading it in his van the neighbors noticed. He had to drive round then let it go again because had it suddenly vanished there wouldn't have been much doubt by them what had happened to it lol