Silkie thread!

[Dirge337]

Does anyone have a recommendation on where to get a good chicken coop for Phoenix, AZ? So it can keep them safe during the 110 degree weather

 

[monkcat]

Does anyone have a recommendation on where to get a good chicken coop for Phoenix, AZ? So it can keep them safe during the 110 degree weather

Might think about making one if you can. Would probably cost you less in the long run and be a better quality. At least from what are available options that I have seen. We did an open air coop as it gets very warm here as well. Seems like on an open air coop thread, someone was in your area that built a nice open one to help with the heat. If I can find the thread, I'll link to it for you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/163417/please-show-me-your-hot-weather-coops

here it is

 

[SJchickens]

I'm interested in showing silkies. I purchased a cuckoo, and being a not yet accepted type, can't be shown. It's a bummer.

In a few days, I'm going to pick up 1 or 2 silkies to add to my flock. They will be 3 weeks old, so there isn't really a way to gauge quality, but I was wondering if there are any ways to check for obvious DQs in silkies this age. I'm not picky, just want to be able to show them if possible. Any tips?

 

[Celtlore]

Above is my very first Silkie egg, we were all so excited (bg). Mama hen is pictured, my pretty partridge hen Dolly. Just had to share, we have just recently acquired Silkies (my father bred them for a while back in the late 1970s) and this is our only full grown hen, the others are a partridge rooster and black rooster and younger chicks we are growing out. Finding a grown Silkie hen to buy is literally, pun intended, like pulling hen's teeth.

BTW, the black covering Dolly's side are feathers from the partridge rooster.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I have a couple questions:
1. Is there any problem with silkies getting wet in summer? I have a mister I use to cool my chickens on hot summer days. Actually I used it already this year when it got to 86 here after being 32 three days earlier and they were all roasting.
2. What are the 2 vitamins silkies are often deficient of? Selenium and ?? Is it something you give them regulary? How often, how much and how do you administer it.

Thanks!

Thiamine, B1 and niacin are the two that when there is a deficiency , symptoms of wryneck and neurological disorders begin to appear. Selenium is added to help with absorption but too much selenium can be fatal.
To mist or not to mist , some believe that it increases the incidence of upper respiratory disease . I hose the trees above the coop and let it trickle down.
I guess that so long as your birds can seek shelter from the sprinklers it would be ok.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I'm interested in showing silkies. I purchased a cuckoo, and being a not yet accepted type, can't be shown. It's a bummer.

In a few days, I'm going to pick up 1 or 2 silkies to add to my flock. They will be 3 weeks old, so there isn't really a way to gauge quality, but I was wondering if there are any ways to check for obvious DQs in silkies this age. I'm not picky, just want to be able to show them if possible. Any tips?

No red combs, or wattles. 5 toes, and no green legs. They are the basics and look for straight clean beaks and bright eyes. It's always a good idea to view the parent stock.
Here's the APA.

http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Standard.html

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thank you.  This complicates things a little bit, but good to know.  Her clutch mates were paints.  I am assuming this means that she is split to paint.  Would I be correct?

Genetics are very complicated , it's my understanding that the term ' split ' applies to the lavender gene.

http://www.norcalchickens.com/chicken-color-genetics.html

 

[Fancychooklady]

Hi guys, all of your silkies look absolutely beautiful.
My partner has just revealed to me that his friend is a breeder and I'm now going to be a mama to two baby silkies. That's literally as much as I know.
I have done some research but I'd like some real accounts of what I will Deffinatley need and the dos and donts.
U all seem very well seasoned and I haven't kept chickens since I was a little girl.
Can any one help me please? Many thanks xx

How exciting, share some pics with us and feel free to ask questions.

 

[I Love Layers]

My week old Silkie chicks

 

[monkcat]

Got put on call for work today. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Never get to go to swaps as I work weekends. Well they were having one nearby today, so I was able to go. Got 2 blue 2 week old silkies from a local breeder! Pics to follow!