Silkie thread!

[PaintedFeathers]

This is too cute. I have always wanted to ask you... when you take the girls out, do people know they are chickens?

Not usually

They stare at them for a minute and then start walking away thinking they're stuffed

So then I shout after them it's real and they do a double take and run back. Pretty much everyone loves them, a few people have known they are silkies, and a few people know they are at least chickens. Most people think they are babies though because of their fluff.

 

[aoxa]

I offered my FF for the first time. My LF devoured it, but my silkies not at all. Some ate a little bit, but the majority did not even look at it. I was very disappointed.

I sprinkled dry food on top at first. So they dug right in. The next time they ate it no problem.

They'll get used to it

My silkies were always the last to try something new. Once they knew it was food and it was good, they went just as crazy as the others.

 

[Debstar1204]

I offered my FF for the first time. My LF devoured it, but my silkies not at all. Some ate a little bit, but the majority did not even look at it. I was very disappointed. 

I sprinkled dry food on top at first. So they dug right in. The next time they ate it no problem.

I'm new to owning Silkies- can I ask what FF is please

 

[PaintedFeathers]

I'm new to owning Silkies- can I ask what FF is please

page 3260 will show you, it means fermented feed

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/297632/silkie-thread/32590

 

[Debstar1204]

page 3260 will show you, it means fermented feed

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/297632/silkie-thread/32590

Thank you, I'll have a look

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: You could only offer the FF where they are used to eating the dry feed, they will get hungry enough and eat it, then they won't stop. I have a Dremel with disk and drum bits that I will use. It is what I use to trim my LF rooster's claws.

So yesterday I was disappointed because none of my chicks hatched (day 21 was friday) but this morning when I went in the coop I saw a little head popping out. I was so happy! And after another one hatched and another one! I only counted 3 (out of 7) but I did not want to disturb her more. They are my first chicks from my flock. Only issue I have, mama is full of red mites. I did not notice until today. I checked the rest of the flock and none of them have any, they are all on her. Poor girl. I gave her a drop of frontline on her head but I was scared to give her more because of the chicks. Now I am worried the chicks will get mites as well. I want to wait a few more days before I move everybody to the brooding area and change entirely the nesting boxes, but if the chicks have mites, what can I do?
Here is a pic of one of them....

Dust her real good and dust a lot under her wings just after they all go to bed, then the dust will transfer to the chicks. I did this to my LF broody and her 2 chicks because I found mites on another bird. The chicks are too hard to catch sometimes. Easier to deal with momma.

 

[chicken farmer]

This is my buff silkie rooster,sorry for the crappy picture quality.....I love him

 

[Suzierd]

Buck got the short end of the genetics stick. He has a wry tail, curved spine(does not affect ability to walk around) and his lower beak is too long and both top and bottom beaks need trimmed from time to time. He will likely never be able to pick grass. I am working on switching him to wet feed then to FF. He went out on grass for the first time today. He didn't quite know what to think, just kept snuggling up against my legs. He is super docile, loves being petted and is going to be a wonderful pet.

Aww he sounds so sweet, good to know he has a great home with you. I have read they do much better on wet feed if they have a crooked beak. Best of luck with him.

 

[peepblessed]

Doc Holiday is 1 week older (15 weeks now).

Holding those wings nice and tight.

Looking good!

Peepblessed, thanks for confirming the colors and letting me know that the pigment hole will darken.

You will love them!

Quote:
So how do you break them? I have another broody, pfff I kept disturbing her, but she is persistent. I have three now and my poor rooster is starting to get lonely

But when you raised the humidity, how did it work out? Sorry I don't understand how to do it....
I offered my FF for the first time. My LF devoured it, but my silkies not at all. Some ate a little bit, but the majority did not even look at it. I was very disappointed.
Nice!

I use a wire bottom cage with no bedding. That will break them in about 3 days, but if you put them back too soon they will start to brood again. The length of time you leave them in the cage depends on the girl.

So yesterday I was disappointed because none of my chicks hatched (day 21 was friday) but this morning when I went in the coop I saw a little head popping out. I was so happy! And after another one hatched and another one! I only counted 3 (out of 7) but I did not want to disturb her more. They are my first chicks from my flock. Only issue I have, mama is full of red mites. I did not notice until today. I checked the rest of the flock and none of them have any, they are all on her. Poor girl. I gave her a drop of frontline on her head but I was scared to give her more because of the chicks. Now I am worried the chicks will get mites as well. I want to wait a few more days before I move everybody to the brooding area and change entirely the nesting boxes, but if the chicks have mites, what can I do?
Here is a pic of one of them....

Soooo adorable!

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

I offered my FF for the first time. My LF devoured it, but my silkies not at all. Some ate a little bit, but the majority did not even look at it. I was very disappointed.

I sprinkled dry food on top at first. So they dug right in. The next time they ate it no problem.

I am going to try that then. Thank you

Try vetercyn! It is amazing stuff!

I will get it in my first aid kit. Thanks

Hi, I'm new to owing Silkies and I have a few questions. Okay while watching my gorgeous girls I noticed 2 of the 3 silkies have their entire head and under chin Fluffy. While one only has the fluff right on top of her head. I can clearly see her lovely blue ear lops, eyes & beak. Is she a non bearded silkie? If so is this the only difference between them?

Also I have only had my girls for 2 days and they all have some wing feathers that look really ratty or separated.. If I was to wash them what do I use? I was also told they are all roughly 12 weeks old. Will they change much with maturity in colour & size or would they be old enough now to be as they will ?

Also, I have read Silkies need different diet to what I'm used to feeding chooks, could someone tell me what is the best diet to feed them. They are currently on 1/4 scratch ( left over from other stock) mixed with 3/4 starter crumble. I have also noticed the scraps aren't eaten as quickly by the silkies as my last flock whom where large breed hens. I'm sure I will have many more questions as time goes on...

Thank you in advanced Debbie

If you could add some pictures, it will be easier.
Here is a link from PaintedFeathers... I love it : https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/752452/grooming-silkies-for-show

Not usually

They stare at them for a minute and then start walking away thinking they're stuffed

So then I shout after them it's real and they do a double take and run back. Pretty much everyone loves them, a few people have known they are silkies, and a few people know they are at least chickens. Most people think they are babies though because of their fluff.

You could only offer the FF where they are used to eating the dry feed, they will get hungry enough and eat it, then they won't stop. I have a Dremel with disk and drum bits that I will use. It is what I use to trim my LF rooster's claws.
Dust her real good and dust a lot under her wings just after they all go to bed, then the dust will transfer to the chicks. I did this to my LF broody and her 2 chicks because I found mites on another bird. The chicks are too hard to catch sometimes. Easier to deal with momma.

It seems to be pretty much the same as the pedipaws.
I only have Sevin as dust. Wouldn't be too harsh on the chicks (even though I won't add it directly?)

I use a wire bottom cage with no bedding. That will break them in about 3 days, but if you put them back too soon they will start to brood again. The length of time you leave them in the cage depends on the girl.

Soooo adorable!

I will have to get one of those then because I only have an "emergency coop" with bedding (under I added vinyl). It might be too comfortable for her.
I have three girls broody right now... it's contagious lol.

So far I found 6 egg shells, but I haven't checked under mama if they are all alive. One more to go