Silkie thread!

[kjscortez]

e :yiipchick

My little 22 week old Silkie, Tiny, just laid her first egg this morning! And true to her name, it's quite an adorable tiny egg! I literally squealed when I opened the coop to find this little thing! No shame!

Tiny!

Congratulations!!

 

[jas humbert]

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6 week old chicks. All have punk rock type hair which makes me think roosters. Still too early??"



Way too early. The whole streamers thing confused me when I started out too. But these guys are just growing onto their crests. I have no idea if they are male or female yet. It is hard to tell before 3 months in many cases and I just had a very nice partridge I was sure was a pullet until HE was a good 5 months old. I think it might vary but most of mine are closer to 3, maybe 4, months old before I see anything I might really call streamers.

 

[mccorbin]

Sorry, that would help. We average between 20 and 30 degrees in winter. Sometimes falling to 10 degrees. Not snowy but when we get it it's normally wet and nasty. Thanks

 

[Fancychooklady]

Sorry, that would help. We average between 20 and 30 degrees in winter. Sometimes falling to 10 degrees. Not snowy but when we get it it's normally wet and nasty. Thanks

Silkies to quite well in the colder months, but it's best that they have cover to get out of the rain. Silkies don't have a feather shaft and this allows water to get right down to the skin.

 

[mccorbin]

I do have them in a covered enclosed lot attached to their coop and also an outdoor movable run to graze. Is there any special care for their feet with those feathers? What would you suggest for bedding to keep their indoor coop dry during the winter? Thanks

 

[jas humbert]

I live in TN which sounds like similar winters to you or maybe just a bit warmer. We seldom get below single digits (and that only a few times a year) but have as much rain in January as snow. I've had silkies for a few years and they seem to do fine in cold rain. They have a dry coop and large covered area they can get out of the rain but are often just as happy running around looking like drowned rats. I've not had health problem in this regard though and I haven't lost a bird at all in the last year except for a couple of newborn chicks that didn't make it past the first day or two. I keep the run pretty sandy so it doesn't get too muddy. I seem to always be adding more bags of sand. Make sure your spot has good drainage. I use straw in the coop in the winter but it does require regular clean outs. Other like sand but I think straw is a bit warmer in the winter. Lot of varying opinion on this one. Enjoy your babies. Silkies are the BEST!

 

[Crazy For Color]

Impulse is a happy girl now. Meet Omelette and Mocha! Her new silkie buddies

 

[30erink]

Could anyone maybe help me figure out if my babies are hen/rooster? They're almost 3 months old, named Harley and Quinn! (First is Harley, second is Quinn)

 

[Reddy76]

New to the crew for 2016

My Lil black Rooster

Lady Gaga

Mrs.Smokey hates the camera hard to catch her.

 

[mccorbin]

Thanks for the info. I just want to make sure they are warm and healthy this winter.