Silkie thread!

[Half Moon Ranch]

I do graphic design and had access to software where I made the plans.
The coop was based on a 4' x 4' footprint and the run was sort of on the fly, but it's coming together.
When I get it done I plan to post pics and possibly some plans.
This whole thing sort of took on a life of it's own and we're excited to move the kids into their new home.
More to come!

 

[wvchix]

Can't wait to see it when it's finished! I'm starting a new coop for my 4 Silkies and I need some inspiration. I love yours!

 

[rayray983]

Was at tsc today and thought about more silkies but realized 5 is enough for right now and don't want to set up another brooder just for silkies chicks when I have ducklings due to hatch later this month

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

One of my new silkie chicks looks like its not doing too well Its smaller and more lethergic then its siblings and I dont know what else to do for it. Its one of my favorite ones because it kinda has some sentimental value to it because I havent had silkies again since my black silkie rooster died 11yrs ago. I finally got some and have been thinking of a name for this lil black one that would remind me of my rooster since its black to. I know I shouldnt get attached so soon but I wish I hadent picked such a small chick and maybe then it would be fine. Its just been sleeping ALOT while all the others all rambunctious and playing/eating and this one just huddles down and doesent want to move or eat or anything and its eyes are always half closed even when it is awake but it never wants to move or explore or anything. It just looks very tierd all the time. When I hold it, it doesent even struggle and just wants to lay back down and sleep. I went as far and crushing their crumbled food to make it even easier to eat and I saw it eat some right after I did that yesterday but I havent seen it eat sense and I havent seen it drink at all. I have been putting tiny drops of water in its mouth by hand a few times a day to make sure its hydrated but I just dont know what else to do for the lil cutie. I am really sad that it has to be this one. The one that reminds me so much of my rooster who was my baby all those yrs ago. I know im sounding too emotional about this, and maybe I am as im also dealing with those wonderful pregnancy hormones to. I just wish I got a bigger chick from the start and didnt have to go through trying to save this one just to end up loosing it. Its 3 days old now. Is there anything else I can do for it?

 

[silkie2001]

I sortof had the same problem, my silkie chick had an eye stuck shut, I wiped the eyelid very softly and it was back to normal. When I realised it had curled toes I tried to fix the foot but it hurt the chick, I learned it would just get used to its foot being like that and be beautiful in its own special way. My silkie chick is named camryn jr named after yours truely, it is my favorite and I love it possibly too much. My chick unlike the others had to be thought to drink it's water(dipped beak in water). And after shortly learned how to eat, my camryn jr sleeps with the others, but they havnt completely accepted him/her yet. I just found out today that camryn jr possibly has something called vaulted skull and I'm not sure what that means , but people say they prefer it so hopefully that means it's good.

Don't think it's wrong that you are attached to that chick, it's human nature to love things and be afraid to let go, that chick reminds you of something that was once important so it's ok to feel bad for it.

Crossing fingers for your black chickidy

 

[Fancychooklady]

One of my new silkie chicks looks like its not doing too well Its smaller and more lethergic then its siblings and I dont know what else to do for it. Its one of my favorite ones because it kinda has some sentimental value to it because I havent had silkies again since my black silkie rooster died 11yrs ago. I finally got some and have been thinking of a name for this lil black one that would remind me of my rooster since its black to. I know I shouldnt get attached so soon but I wish I hadent picked such a small chick and maybe then it would be fine. Its just been sleeping ALOT while all the others all rambunctious and playing/eating and this one just huddles down and doesent want to move or eat or anything and its eyes are always half closed even when it is awake but it never wants to move or explore or anything. It just looks very tierd all the time. When I hold it, it doesent even struggle and just wants to lay back down and sleep. I went as far and crushing their crumbled food to make it even easier to eat and I saw it eat some right after I did that yesterday but I havent seen it eat sense and I havent seen it drink at all. I have been putting tiny drops of water in its mouth by hand a few times a day to make sure its hydrated but I just dont know what else to do for the lil cutie. I am really sad that it has to be this one. The one that reminds me so much of my rooster who was my baby all those yrs ago. I know im sounding too emotional about this, and maybe I am as im also dealing with those wonderful pregnancy hormones to. I just wish I got a bigger chick from the start and didnt have to go through trying to save this one just to end up loosing it. Its 3 days old now. Is there anything else I can do for it? 

Can you buy some ' chick saver ' and mix it in with some soft scrambled egg? Check her vent for pasty butt. If her vent is covered wash with warm water. Cocci is also a possibility.

 

[Michelle27]

Hi everyone, I'll be getting silkie chicks Tuesday and I'm so excited these will be my first silkies , I was just wondering if there is a way to tell the difference between a bearded and non-bearded silkie chicks!?
I'll be getting them from a hatchery and will be white an black ones they don't say nothing else if they are bearded or not when I go to pick them up I wanted it hopefully get bearded but either works I was just curious! Thanks

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

Thanks, I hope she can pull though but im starting to lose faith that she will because I dont see her getting better. She opens her eyes just fine, she just goes back to trying to fall asleep where she is. I havent tried dipping her beak in the water yet because ive seen her just stand there next to the water and not even look interested, and her siblings will be right there drinking next to her. They will be all playing and scratching and acting like normal chickies while this one is huddled down asleep. Im just waiting for the morning I wake up and find her gone and I hate that feeling I'll keep you updated tomorrow.
You said your not sure what vaulted head are..And from my understanding, the vaulted heads do seem to be more desirable due to the higher/larger appearing crest but its also a deformity and is the result of the scull not fusing together and instead there is a hole in the top of their scull and the bump is actually their brain popped out and only covered by skin, therefore they seem to be more susceptible to head injuries if they hit their head on something or get pecked there. Half my babies have vaulted heads to and though I think it does make them very cute, i wish that was not the cause behind them. My white and buff chick have the most extreme ones.

 

[subhanalah]

Can you buy some ' chick saver ' and mix it in with some soft scrambled egg? Check her vent for pasty butt. If her vent is covered wash with warm water. Cocci is also a possibility.

In my personal experience, save-a-chick gave my chicks watery stools. I think they maybe liked the way it tasted so much, they drank too much.
Besides the point, I prefer the poultry nitri-drench, you can give a drop of it straight on the side of the chick's beak.
The scrambled eggs are good, but I have always wondered what the extra fat does to the chick's stomach. I use hard boiled egg yolk pressed through a ricer or garlic press.

There are lots of ways to go about it, just depends on personal preference and item availability.

 

[silkie2001]

Thanks, I hope she can pull though but im starting to lose faith that she will because I dont see her getting better. She opens her eyes just fine, she just goes back to trying to fall asleep where she is. I havent tried dipping her beak in the water yet because ive seen her just stand there next to the water and not even look interested, and her siblings will be right there drinking next to her. They will be all playing and scratching and acting like normal chickies while this one is huddled down asleep. Im just waiting for the morning I wake up and find her gone and I hate that feeling I'll keep you updated tomorrow. 
  You said your not sure what vaulted head are..And from my understanding, the vaulted heads do seem to be more desirable due to the higher/larger appearing crest but its also a deformity and is the result of the scull not fusing together and instead there is a hole in the top of their scull and the bump is actually their brain popped out and only covered by skin, therefore they seem to be more susceptible to head injuries if they hit their head on something or get pecked there. Half my babies have vaulted heads to and though I think it does make them very cute, i wish that was not the cause behind them. My white and buff chick have the most extreme ones.

Thanks for the definition!