Silkie thread!

My babies will be 4 weeks old on Sunday - and we are looking to move them outside this weekend since it'll be hitting the 70's (equipped with a heating pad, of course)!

However, I just noticed one of my chickies has some balding on the back of its neck... Is this something I should worry about?

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Its wingspan if anyone wants to take a guess on its sex?

It's in a pen with 8 others, so I'm not sure if someone's picking on it, if it's because they're from a hatchery (I have another with non feathered legs & "incorrect combs", etc) or if it's just a late/patchy bloomer.

TIA!
 
:)
Yep, such good points. Your mention of color sexing brings up a question though - why hasn't anyone tried to create a sex linked Silkie? Sure, it couldn't be used for show purposes, but so many people just want them as pets anyhow - and no doubt a guaranteed female Silkie chick would be a big seller! The idea is actually what got me into Silkies in the first place - I've been researching color genetics for about a year now and I suddenly realized that a simple cross of Partridge over Cuckoo would make life a lot easier for a lot of breeders and prospective owners... that's what I'm working on now, though the project is currently laughably small as I have only one Cuckoo hen. But I also have a beautiful Cuckoo cock, who will hopefully help me produce plenty of little Cuckoos for breeding next season.

Your mention of it not being 50/50 is spot on. I've had one hatch that was 7 cockerels to 3 pullets, and another which was 1 cockerel to 9 pullets.

I'm sure that if you can come up with a colour sexing bird , that breeds true you will have a line to your door. :)
 
My babies will be 4 weeks old on Sunday - and we are looking to move them outside this weekend since it'll be hitting the 70's (equipped with a heating pad, of course)!

However, I just noticed one of my chickies has some balding on the back of its neck... Is this something I should worry about?

400


400


400

Its wingspan if anyone wants to take a guess on its sex?

It's in a pen with 8 others, so I'm not sure if someone's picking on it, if it's because they're from a hatchery (I have another with non feathered legs & "incorrect combs", etc) or if it's just a late/patchy bloomer.

TIA!

Looks like they are just coming into that ' awkward teenager ' look. Also referred to as the ' ugly duckling ' stage. :)
Just not completely feathered in. Too young to sex. :)
 
Looks like they are just coming into that ' awkward teenager ' look. Also referred to as the ' ugly duckling ' stage. :)
Just not completely feathered in. Too young to sex. :)


Thanks @Fancychooklady ! They are quite awkward looking. I have 1 in the bunch who is fluffier than the rest, so I'm not sure if it's a boy or girl yet - I've just been calling it 'Biggie' :lol:
 
A-hem........It's official. I have just ordered 23 Silkie chicks for the beginning of June from my breeder. I am claiming her as mine, although I probably have to share her.
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Hmmmmmmm...now to choose the coop color, and wait on my portable electric fence....
 

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