Silkie thread!

[Fancychooklady]

[COLOR=0000CD]* For one thing, I like the Brite Tap assembled into the Rubbermaid jug (comes together as an option on chickenwaterers.com).[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* I ordered the Brite Tap insulated red covers that fit over the Brite Tap itself so chickens can't peck at the plugs on the Brite Tap sides.[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* My consant water-changing days are over! I used to clean out water bowls 2 to 3x daily before![/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* We have very hard/mineral tap water so we use bottled water. We like that the bottled water stays clean and not wasted. [/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* It holds 2-gallons of water. [/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* The website says one Brite Tap per 12 chickens. I have only 4 hens but have 2 of these waterers in the yard. I'm a worrier and in case one stops working or leaks out (won't happen but I worry anyway) there is a 2nd waterer available in the yard.[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* A 2-gallon jug is easy to carry from location to location and easy to clean out. [/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* The handle on the jug gives the option to hang it if you choose.[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]*The water stays clean for days and days although I recommend rubberbanding a fine mesh bridal tulle over the top air valve to keep out tiny insects like ants, gnats, etc, entering the water jug. [/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* Chickenwaterers.com recommended having the jug placed low for bantams and higher for large fowl but our silly chickens use the opposite jugs with the large fowl using the lower placement and the bantams reaching for higher placement - not always but it's funny why they do this. I solved the problem by having cinderblock steps so the chickens can choose the height they want to get their drink.[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* The screw-top lid gives us the convenience to drop in ice cubes on warm days.[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* If you have to give medicinal treatments or soluble vitamins to the flock it won't get wasted and stays in clean water.[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* The wild birds used to poop in our open bowl waterers and the hens would stand in the drinking water (one Leghorn especially liked to take "Madge" Palmolive spas in the open bowls!). Using the Brite Tap nipple valves positioned from the bottom (not the sides like some valve waterers) keeps the wild birds from reaching the nipple valve water - hurray![/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* It is not unattractive like PVC pipe systems and is probably the same cost whether getting two Brite Taps or having to physically install a diy PVC system. Of course, this is a matter of preference but we found it so much easier just to use the jugs. [/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* Algae is not a problem unless the jugs are left out in the sun all day long. Our jugs are in shade all day. I use vinegar water or ACV to wash out the jugs once a month or as needed - sometimes 2 months before a thorough vinegar washing.[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]* My last advice received from chickenwaterers.com was in answer to a question I asked them about using ACV for the chicken water in the jugs. This was their reply to my question so I never use ACV:[/COLOR] I did quite a bit of research on ACV and didn't find much compelling to recommend it. If you want to read the blog posting I did on this, you can find it at: http://blog.chickenwaterer.com/2012/12/dont-use-apple-cider-vinegar-acv-in.html The article is titled "Don't Use ACV" but what the article really concludes is "there's no real evidence that it works, so don't bother." By the way, yogurt is a probiotic because the lactobacilus bacteriait contains can survive in the gastrointestinal tract.( Lactobacilus doesn't need oxygen to survive). ACV contains Acetobacteria that people also think is a probiotic but this type of bacteria does need oxygen to live and so it can't survive in the gut. ACV is not a probiotic. The best time to give your chickens probiotics is when they are baby chicks. At that time, the normal flora in their guts has not developed yet and they would be more prone to get salmonella or coccidiosis. Commercially available probiotic solutions are sold for chick but you can also try giving your chicks some sauerkraut. Putting some ice in your water jug is a nice touch. Chickens prefer cool water and it will increase their water consumption. Leghorns given cool water versus warm water laid about 10% more eggs because their overall water consumption rate was higher. Kind regards, -Mark

I can honestly say that I've never heard anyone refer to acv as a probiotic. It simply lowers the PH and when you have pasty butt in your chicks it does help. Probiotics are available in many forms now and can be quite useful for any animal or person that is under par. I use poly aid plus with probiotics for any sick Birds.

 

[abbevilleoz]

Is it normal for Silkies to avoid using a ramp? My Silkies' coop has a ramp up into the nesting area and my Silkies won't use it. They will stay all night in the run area, huddled up rather than climb the ramp to roost for the night. Does pushing them up the ramp help?

Mine do the same but they will walk up the ramp to lay in the nest boxes. Go figure?

 

[smschultz]

For sale one black silkie chick from black dad and grey mom. Bobbi Porto lines. Pick up only in Oakley CA. East bay area 10$

 

[Sylvester017]

I can honestly say that I've never heard anyone refer to acv as a probiotic. It simply lowers the PH and when you have pasty butt in your chicks it does help.
Probiotics are available in many forms now and can be quite useful for any animal or person that is under par. I use poly aid plus with probiotics for any sick
Birds.

Well, if you read Mark's response from chickenwaterers.com, he said that people "think" ACV is a probiotic and I've seen some posts/other website discussions refer to it as if was a probiotic or digestive aid. I think he was clarifying that it is not a probiotic or helpful because of needing oxygen to be of any use in the gut and that there are actually probiotics manufactured specifically for chicks who need help in their first few weeks of life. I was wondering about using chicken probiotics in general for my big girls but found it for chicks only at my feed store supply -- so I continue using live bacillus Greek yogurt with highest protein content to give my girls. Easy when I have only 4 hens to fuss over

. They get a teaspoon at the end of the day when we spend time enjoying them in the backyard. So fun to be retired!

 

[adoptedchick]

I have Silkies that have black skin, yellow heads and white bodies... What type are they? Three are five weeks and three are two weeks.

 

[Calebs Chicks]

I have a order of 22 Silkie chicks in with Bobbi Porto! Pumped to start out 4H project with such high quality birds!

 

[silkiecuddles]

I have a order of 22 Silkie chicks in with Bobbi Porto! Pumped to start out 4H project with such high quality birds!

straight run?

 

[AnRamire]

Ok guys. Here I go again..

still trying to guess gender so I can sell these boys before they start crowing and my neighbors/ development go into an uproar. I feel this silkie is a Roo. Look at that crest.Although I'm not seeing huge wattles. Feet an legs don't seem exceptionally large like some of my other. 6 weeks old now. What are you thoughs

PS when will my silkies get those beautiful turquoise ears??

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Ok guys. Here I go again.. still trying to guess gender so I can sell these boys before they start crowing and my neighbors/ development go into an uproar. I feel this silkie is a Roo. Look at that crest.Although I'm not seeing huge wattles. Feet an legs don't seem exceptionally large like some of my other. 6 weeks old now. What are you thoughs PS when will my silkies get those beautiful turquoise ears??

Looks kinda like mine and I'm being told it's a roo so I'm gonna go with roo. Here is mine

 

[AnRamire]

not sure on green here. Crest is deformed not overly huge. Not sure about head feathers. Are they streamers or the rest just haven't all grown in yet? Body stance doesn't scream roo. Feet and legs are not huge But again unknown. Any guesses.