Silkie thread!

[VelvetDragon]

Flattening sometimes happens when chickens pile on top of each other to get away from a perceived threat (such as a predator). I don't know what else might cause it.

 

[emvickrey]

We lost a pullet yesterday. I"m not sure of why but I suspect it got bit by something. I noticed it rolling in the dirt in the tractor the day before and thought it was doing just that, dusting itself. Then yesterday it was in the run of the tractor doing the same thing in the grass. It didn't run away from me at all and never stood up and looked at me it kept putting it's head under itself and a couple of times it looked like the Exorcist. We got it out and it just wouldn't hold up it's head and it felt very light as if it hadn't eaten. It had poo in it's feathers. I don't know how it got out in the run in it's condition. There are about 20 chicks of different ages in the tractor and none of them are acting like this. I did see a snake skin on the ground that fell out of the tree right by the tractor, a mole has been tearing up the yard and dug into the tractor and there are brown recluse spiders around. I don't know which got the poor little thing but something did. I couldn't find any wounds on the pullet but it is fully feathered so it was hard to see it's skin at all.

 

[sandiklaws]

I have a silkie question for all of you more experienced folks; I got a young SQ breeder pair- boy about 4 months girl around 5, at a poultry show. When I got them home, I noticed the girl wasn't eating or exploring much. At first I chalked it up to new home nerves, but when 2 days went by with-out her filling her crop (there was some stuff in it but not much) and some loss of condition I sat down to watch them for a couple of hours... they both seemed to be having a hard time locating their food and water, I had dippedboth of their beeks when I first put them in their hutch, and did the same every am when I put them in their day-pen (an ex-pen for large puppies located between my electric poultry fence and my tool shed), when it seemed like I was sure to loose the pullet because of declining condition, I syringe fed her some electrolytes and soaked pellets, which I had done a couple of times before, and gave her extensive top-knot a severe trim- it was a lucky guess on my part because the difference was like night and day. Although these guys do not seem as robust as my LF cochin gal, or even her 2 week old faverolles chicks, that haircut obviously was the right thing to do as she began eating her head off... so my questions are: Is this a thing I will have to do again for her or will she adapt as the feathers come in? Is this something that is common for young silkies? Will I need to do the same for the boy? And How much can silkies be expected to free range for bugs and plants? (mine have only shown interested in "presented" foods)

Thanks for any replies!

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Barettes and hair tape are used to keep them in show condition. If you are not showing, please by all means allow them to see. I do not allow mine to free range unsupervised. Have fun with them

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

sandiklaws: if you planned showing your SQ Silkies, it would have been better to tie up the crest, rather than trim it~~it will take a long time for it to grow back in. If you don't plan on showing either of them~~clip away. Another alternative is to "pluck" the feathers around the eyes so the bird can see better, but it doesn't compromise their appearance.

As for foraging for food~~Silkies aren't very good at that for several reasons. Their vision is obstructed by their crests (feathers on top of their heads) and their beards (though some Silkies are beardless). Also, with their heavily feathered feet they aren't as good at scratching for food, and definitely cannot run away from predators as fast. Free ranging is not a good idea either, since they cannot fly.

Good luck with your new babies.

 

[henney penny]

What does SQ stand for

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Sq=show Quality

Bq=breeder Quality

Pq=pet Quality

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

weird....it took away my all caps

SQ = show quality

BQ= breeder quality

PQ= pet quality

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

I free range my silkies and they do quite well, though they are on my side yard right now and they stay within about 30 feet of their coop and run. Nothing bothers them except the ducks when the ducks see me feed the silkies

but all them ducks do is want to scarf their food. X_x the pigs.

Anyway, yes if you aren't going to be around - free ranging isn't a good idea. if your home to keep an eye or ear out for them I think thats the best time to let 'em loose and have at it. Tie back the crests or trip it, use rubber bands, gel, hair tape, barettes, whatever. I only have one that has a real poofy crest and beard and its still really young and I just keep a black hairband for kids.

My bunch are super foragers, and not able to tear up the ground? Come visit my gals and guy. they are just about as good as the big chickens are, maybe a tad slower at it but still darn good at it.

 

[Layla1223]

Hi! I just got 3 Silkie Chicks about 4 weeks ago. I absolutly LOVE THEM

I already want more. The only problem is that there don't seem to be any in my area, are there any good places that ship chicks? I can only have hens but don't really know how to sex them. I know that you can find out when they lay an egg or crow, but is there any way to find out sooner? Thanks and I love all the Silkie pictures.