Silkie thread!

[silkiecuddles]

This may not be the right forum, but I would like to hatch some silkies (in the near future). All the chickens about to be mentioned are silkies
I have 1 white (hatchery) rooster, 1 buff (hatchery) hen, 1 white (hatchery) hen, and 1 white (local) hen, a partridge (local) rooster, and a partridge/white hen (who is the chick of the two local chickens).
Sorry for all the confusion. The partridge/white hen and the white hatchery hen recently each hatched a chick. The white one is sitting on her chick, and two eggs I put under her a few days ago, because she has insisted on sitting.
Is there any special way to pick your eggs for hatching, or do you just find some nicely shaped, clean eggs and put them in the incubator? I love hatching them naturally, but I would like to raise some chicks that a personable.
Should I put the particular chickens I want together, or is just having all my silkies together good enough? Any help?


(I had to edit this because of some spelling mistakes)

 

[BonRae67]

This may not be the right forum, but I would like to hatch some silkies (in the near future). All the chickens about to be mentioned are silkies
     I have 1 white (hatchery) rooster, 1 buff (hatchery) hen, 1 white (hatchery) hen, and 1 white (local) hen, a partridge (local) rooster, and a partridge/white hen (who is the chick of the two local chickens).
     Sorry for all the confusion. The partridge/white hen and the white hatchery hen recently each hatched a chick. The white one is sitting on her chick, and two eggs I put under her a few days ago, because she has insisted on sitting.
     Is there any special way to pick your eggs for hatching, or do you just find some nicely shaped, clean eggs and put them in the incubator? I love hatching them naturally, but I would like to raise some chicks that a personable.
     Should I put the particular chickens I want together, or is just having all my silkies together good enough? Any help?


(I had to edit this because of some spelling mistakes)

Just pick good looking eggs and put them in the incubator. It doesn't really matter color to color. You just don't know what color you will get even if you put white with white. My two white ones just hatched a black chick, a silver chick and a chipmunk looking chick. I can't wait to see what colors I did get. Good luck.

 

[Bryam]

At what age do your Silkie roasters start crowing and mating? My Silkie male is just over 5 months old, he has not crowed or done anything... I have some hens his age with him and two older girls that are laying.

 

[BonRae67]

At what age do your Silkie roasters start crowing and mating? My Silkie male is just over 5 months old, he has not crowed or done anything... I have some hens his age with him and two older girls that are laying.

He should be soon. About 6 months on average, as my experience. Some sooner some later.

 

[Bryam]

Amazing!! I hope sooner than later!!!

 

[Roxannemc]

If you need to, I just read somewhere to trim feather above the vent in females and below in males. I think quite a few people have to do this to get better fertility for fluffy breeds!

Well thanks...good to know. but i saw this too late!.
Trimmed all the way around. every butt( vent)when i didnt get one fertile from 4 hens none penned near each other and all are very healthy and super well fed..only thing it could be...Fluffy butt
.One pair is 2 years old and hes on her a LOT So doubt its inexperience for him unless hes sterile Other roos are all young.
SOOO.just set 12 more eggs.
Cleaned the incubator with oxine. Heard it was the very best disinfectant and not harmful.Each egg was spotless clean.
.Only glitch could be almost all were very cold but sat on a table a few days to get room temp..
Guess well see if butt shearing works.. .
First warmer day in 6 weeks. so might collect a few warmer eggs to add also If girls get busy today .

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Butt shearing

Trimming all the way around won't be an issue, it'll just look funny until they molt.

I just pulled these 2 little cuties from my incubator. The blue/black one is so small, about half the size of the splash. I don't think I've ever had a chick so small, so I'm a little worried about it.

 

[Bloveschickens]

Butt shearing

Trimming all the way around won't be an issue, it'll just look funny until they molt.

I just pulled these 2 little cuties from my incubator. The blue/black one is so small, about half the size of the splash. I don't think I've ever had a chick so small, so I'm a little worried about it.

They are so cute!!!

 

[kada6305]

I am happy to say I found way to keep crests,up without tape

 

[judy mclean]

Today is day 21 for my silkie eggs to hatch and I look in with a flashlight and I don't see anything happening is there a point when I should check on them