Silkie thread!

[Suzierd]

Interesting topic, so hens with chicks should not be left with the rest of the flock? what about 2 hens with chicks each together? and what age are chicks ready to get altoghether?

Good questions, not sure when to let them out with the rest of the flock.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Bruce Lee came from a pen with Splash hens and Splash and White Roos.


SoSince he is obviously not white he is splash? And I hope he is a hen

Doesn't Bruce have great boots?

Oh and are Silkies like other bearded breeds. Wattle less roos if they are bearded?

I would say blue too. Do you have another pen right next to these that has a black or blue in it? That looks way too dark to be a splash.

 

[moomoodiddy]

Good questions, not sure when to let them out with the rest of the flock.

some flocks can be kept with all ages but most of the time it is safer to keep babies seperate for safety. usually hens will go broody in pairs and become good buddy and raise their babies together but you have to watch out for aggresion and jealousy. keep relatively similar sized chicks together up until......3 or 4 ish months old...? and hens will let you know when she is ready to let the babies go when she lays another egg

 

[Suzierd]

some flocks can be kept with all ages but most of the time it is safer to keep babies seperate for safety. usually hens will go broody in pairs and become good buddy and raise their babies together but you have to watch out for aggresion and jealousy. keep relatively similar sized chicks together up until......3 or 4 ish months old...? and hens will let you know when she is ready to let the babies go when she lays another egg

Thanks Moomoodiddy, good info. It probably would do fine outside of the cage but I think it's chances are a little better now.

 

[CruchyJeepMama]

JUST ORDERED MY FIRST SILKIES!!! SHOULD BE HERE AT THE END OF THE MONTH

Where did you order them from?

 

[laseterlass]

I would say blue too.  Do you have another pen right next to these that has a black or blue in it?  That looks way too dark to be a splash.

Mystery solved. There was a black roo that left about a week before I got the eggs.

 

[silkiemomma42]

Hi, few days ago I quit feeding the flock with layer, as several people here advised. Im using starter only and Im very concerned as a couple of girls are about to start laying and up to date have not found oyster shells to provide calcium, I realize wont be easy around here, any substitute suggestions...please?

I have had good results using egg shells. I bake them in the oven for a bit, crush them up, and offer them as a free feed next to the grit. I think all the chicks appreciate being able to regulate their own calcium.

 

[unexpected]

I have 4 silkies. They are just over 2 months old. I read somewhere on here that someone bathed and brushed their's and haven't been able to find that post again. Are you supposed to do so? Can you? If so with what? Are mine too young to do so?

 

[PaintedFeathers]

I have 4 silkies. They are just over 2 months old. I read somewhere on here that someone bathed and brushed their's and haven't been able to find that post again. Are you supposed to do so? Can you? If so with what? Are mine too young to do so?

You can, I started mine at 5 weeks, it's good to get them used to it.

Just follow these general steps, you don't have to do all the fancy stuff lol

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/752452/grooming-silkies-for-show/20#post_10931714

 

[unexpected]

Th

You can, I started mine at 5 weeks, it's good to get them used to it.

Just follow these general steps, you don't have to do all the fancy stuff lol

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/752452/grooming-silkies-for-show/20#post_10931714

Thank you!