Silkie thread!

[chickydee64]

HI,
I had planned to take pictures this morning to ask for help sexing my four little ones.............
Then.........I heard the most pathetic crow coming from the brooder.....................

OMG, I laughed so hard....................He really needs practice..................Aren't they just a panic............
Still planning to get pic's. and post later today..........
He ( the crower) is all the wrong colors but he does not know...............Thinks he is a show Silkie
from his posture and attitude.............He is black with bright red and lots of it................Hope I can find someone not interested in breeding
to just love him.......................

 

[KristyAnn]

Well

Sounds miserable. Don't forget to add some wood ash from the fire to the sand. Won't rid them of lice, but it will prevent them returning.

agreed!

 

[kabhyper1]

I don't use wood ash anymore after loosing a couple of chicks to respiratory issues from the ash.

 

[Sylvester017]

I can't think of a cuter chick than Silkies, LOL. Very cute photos!

I just acquired a white Silkie hen. I think she is a hybrid/mutt though because she doesn't have feathered toes, although she does have five toes. She is a sweetie though, and since I have no plans to show my birds, she is fine as a pet. My silkie roo has been wooing her, but she seems more interested in food than in love ;-) I'm gonna just let nature take it's course with those two. I'm sure its a bit of a blow to my roo's ego, LOL but who knows? I'd be so excited if they have some chicks together. Seeing all these chick photos lately really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy :-D

Hi Mollie4dogs - Ur White Silkie may still be a purebred. Sometimes breeders get Silkies born w/ only 4 toes, or 1 foot has 4 toes w/ 5 on the other, or webbed toes, or light or no feathering on toes, etc. and breeders will give these up for pet quality. Of course u wouldn't want to use those deformities to breed subsequent deformities in chicks but to each his own. Just be aware the trait in your hen may pass down to her chicks. Of course, after having to deal w/ feather-toed Silkies myself for 3 years, it might be nice not having quills sticking out of their toes when I treat them to their vitamin E leg massages - LOL

 

[Sylvester017]

I don't use wood ash anymore after loosing a couple of chicks to respiratory issues from the ash.

Thanx 4 d heads-up on the ash. I'm assembling a 4x4' raised garden bed to use as a dust-bath and was thinking of adding ash to the sand and dirt. I'll go easy w/ the ash.

Have any thoughts about white (not yellow or gray) food grade DE added to the dust-bath? There's 50/50 pros/cons so for the past year I've been holding an unopened 10-lb bag of it because I don't have enough info from people who've used it or how much to add, etc.

 

[chickenkeeper12]

Hen or roo?

 

[Sylvester017]

Hen or roo?

How cute! Now there IS a white Silkie somewhere in the snow? We never knew we had a cockerel til he crowed & mounted his sister! Sadly, he was returned to the breeder who originally said he was a pullet!

 

[realsis]

Chicken keeper 12 can you get a side shot pic of your bird? Judging from the comb my guess would be that this bird is a roo. How old is it? Also females have a much rounder crest.they can fool you though sometimes. But that comb looks too large for a female. I could be wrong but my guess is roo. I also raise silkie and my female combs are much less prominent. So I'm guessing rooster.best wishes. He sure is a beautiful bird!

 

[Mickey Lou 04]

Thanx 4 d heads-up on the ash. I'm assembling a 4x4' raised garden bed to use as a dust-bath and was thinking of adding ash to the sand and dirt. I'll go easy w/ the ash.

Have any thoughts about white (not yellow or gray) food grade DE added to the dust-bath? There's 50/50 pros/cons so for the past year I've been holding an unopened 10-lb bag of it because I don't have enough info from people who've used it or how much to add, etc.

What are the pros and cons of DE?

 

[chaosarcee]

I have 2 silkies one is white and one is black, my white silkie is always keeping her body low to the ground and never extends her legs to walk. I always thought it was a vision problem because she walks around in her coop but she still keeps her body low to the ground. She has done this all of her life, does anyone know what is wrong or if this is normal?