Silkie thread!

[Feathersprings]

Quote: I agree... I dont find them to be fragile. My ouple that have developed wry neck have survived as well. I think the only thing I would be careful with is having them with more aggressive poultry that might peck them on the head

I hate it when there are mystery deaths of properly cared for chicks. I also always hesitate to to blame the breeder not knowing the circumstances but would certainly get stock from someone else to see if there were further problems.And mostly I hate having a bad experience make someone move away from the breed

but I DO understand!

 

[moomoodiddy]

Sex-link colouring is pretty basic: red sex-links and black sex-links.  In the former, girls are red/gold and boys are mostly white with some red/gold.  In the later, boys are barred and girls are not.

ob thats too confuding lol i was thinking like a certain black spot or something

 

[moomoodiddy]

babies r finally hayching i have been impatienctly awaiting their arrival since january! !! so my weekend is jam packed and yall will defenitly be seeing pics soon lol

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: I Ferment Feed flock raiser with wild bird seed mixed in. I am only having issues with the Silkies and one of my backyard chicks that had to be brooded with the Silkies(momma was taken by a hawk, and it was put down for Marek's, at least that is what I think it was, progressing paralysis of one leg to point of no longer able to use leg). This is the reason I think Marek's has something to do with things as well as bad genetics. I will no longer aquire any birds from these lines.

Quote: I agree it is some to do with genetics, but I also lost a chick raised with the Silkies to what I think is Marek's, Progressive leg paralysis to point of unable to use it(symptoms presented at 10 weeks and put down at 13 weeks)

What really stinks is this breeder is VERY well known and was the ASBC president at one point. I think we will take a break from getting any more Silkies until next spring and then get started pullets and a cockerel. I am not giving up on the breed, just this bloodline.

 

[PaintedFeathers]

I Ferment Feed flock raiser with wild bird seed mixed in. I am only having issues with the Silkies and one of my backyard chicks that had to be brooded with the Silkies(momma was taken by a hawk, and it was put down for Marek's, at least that is what I think it was, progressing paralysis of one leg to point of no longer able to use leg). This is the reason I think Marek's has something to do with things as well as bad genetics. I will no longer aquire any birds from these lines.
I agree it is some to do with genetics, but I also lost a chick raised with the Silkies to what I think is Marek's, Progressive leg paralysis to point of unable to use it(symptoms presented at 10 weeks and put down at 13 weeks)

What really stinks is this breeder is VERY well known and was the ASBC president at one point. I think we will take a break from getting any more Silkies until next spring and then get started pullets and a cockerel. I am not giving up on the breed, just this bloodline.

do you have grit available that is small enough for them to eat? I stay away from bird seed, and I only give scratch grains as a treat.

If you think that they are really carrying marek's I wouldn't bring in any more young chickens that aren't vaccinated, it is highly contagious. If you like her bloodlines, you could try some hatching eggs from her, mareks is not transferable from mommy hen to chick because it doesn't survive the incubation process.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: I have mixed regular grit and chick grit for them.

 

[moomoodiddy]

What can i use for leg rings for my chicks until my tsc gets another stock in?

 

[Kimmi500]

Don't you hate it when people change their avatar photo! I just love my roo so much, I couldn't help myself! Of course he's another wonderful blessing from Catdance.

He is BEAUTIFUL!!

 

[aoxa]

Trav,

I don't think it's mareks. I don't think it has anything to do with the vaccination.

I have no idea why you are having such bad luck. I'm so sorry to hear about it

Mine were never any less thrifty than any other breed, but I had to keep them from the larger chicks after a few weeks as I have had them picked on by larger breeds. Obviously that was not your issue.

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

I don't vaccinate mine either and knock on wood... so far I haven't lost one.