Silkie thread!

[Coreenelane]

I live in northern Ohio and had no problems with my silkis last winter. Have two coops for 40 chickens of all sizes and all were fine. The small birds stayed on a perch close to the floor and huddled together. Only had one roo with a touch of frost bite to his comb this year I will use an ointment to prevent this when the temp. drops to the teens.

 

[Sylvester017]

I live in northern Ohio and had no problems with my silkis last winter. Have two coops for 40 chickens of all sizes and all were fine. The small birds stayed on a perch close to the floor and huddled together. Only had one roo with a touch of frost bite to his comb this year I will use an ointment to prevent this when the temp. drops to the teens.

I use vitamin E oil on Silkie combs, face, beak, legs, toes (including feathers), and nails. I apply after roost time to allow the beneficial vit oil to absorb into the dry skin overnight and there's no greasy residue on feathers in the morning from ointments or vaselines. Learned this trick from my vet. After a bad experience using vaseline on my Leghorn's big comb it greased up and stained her feathers badly the next day when she took her dust bath. Didn't take much convincing from the vet for me to switch to vit E oil.

 

[freepebs2016]

How old is the average silkie hen before she begins laying eggs?

 

[freepebs2016]

My silkie hen is extremely timid. Is this normal behavior for this breed? Is there anything I can do to make her less frightened all the time? Please help!!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

My silkie hen is extremely timid. Is this normal behavior for this breed? Is there anything I can do to make her less frightened all the time? Please help!!

Mine became more friendly the older they got. Lots of handling and yummy treats helped.

 

[ChickenGrass]

Here's a few pictures of my black silkie at a show today

I got a second with her
But I also got two thirds with other birds
So 3 rosets with 5 birds
I'm happy enough

 

[QueenMisha]

How old is the average silkie hen before she begins laying eggs?

It's super dependant on the individual. I've had them start anywhere from 6-10 months of age.

My silkie hen is extremely timid. Is this normal behavior for this breed? Is there anything I can do to make her less frightened all the time? Please help!!

True breeder stock Silkies are usually very friendly and calm. However, many hatchery stock Silkies are not any tamer than most breeds and sometimes quite flighty, due to poor breeding. The best way to tame a bird is to handle it constantly. You don't have to be sitting down or being still, just hold her all the time. Walk around with her in your hand.

 

[mccorbin]

Here's a few pictures of my black silkie at a show today


I got a second with her
But I also got two thirds with other birds
So 3 rosets with 5 birds
I'm happy enough

wow what a beautiful bird <3

 

[mccorbin]

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!

That helps a lot thanks for the info.

 

[mccorbin]

I have 5 silks and they are about 2 months old. I do think 2 of the 5 are roo's. I know these breeds are calmer. Will I need to separate them as they get older? Thanks.