Silkie thread!

[Sonoran Silkies]

Your best bet is to purchase from a breeder. Silkies cannot be sexed as a chick unless you want to spring for the cost of a DNA test.

 

[wanttobefarmer]

That's cool, but it doesn't sound like a breeder will sex them either. Will a breeder be able to guarantee bearded? Have you ordered from Ideal before? Also what are the benefits of ordering from a breeder if you are looking for a pet and not a show bird? thanks for taking the time to answer these questions
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[tweetypie]

Here are my little silkies, can you tell what the bigger one is by any chance. And can you give them hair cuts the poor thing can see very well and has to look and aim to eat. And can you give silkies a bath and what kind of shampoo do you use? sorry im a newbee with silkies.

 

[ginbart]

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Someone gave me this to look at, I hope it helps.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=99105

 

[ginbart]

Question here,

I had a black silkie hen and white silkie roo, her babies came out looking black and brown. Is that a color? I will try and take a pic if I can find the batterys to the camera.

 

[Brody's Broodello]

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Sounds like you have Partridge color chicks.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

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I'm under the impression that bearded birds show their beards even as chicks, you can kind of see the poof under and to the side of their beaks. However, I can imagine that it wouldn't be as easy if they are from a hatchery because the beards are probably smaller than that of breeder stock (most qualities are smaller on hatchery birds). Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

Breeders cannot sex silkie chicks any easier than the hatchery these chicks are from. However, buying from a breeder has its advantages. You can look around and if you find a nice seller, older birds that can be sexed may be available to you. Quality aside, hatchery birds are nice but bantams lack that sexing quality as chicks. If you want definate girls, you have to buy them older when they can be sexed. I also brefer buying from breeders because you can actually see the chicks you want before you buy.

Some breeders will also sell cull birds for people who don't want to show them, but want a nice pet. Cull birds are cheaper than that of show quality.

 

[wanttobefarmer]

Thanks i really appreciate the whys and hows. that is really what i was looking for not just buy from a breeder. I really appreciate it.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Would anyone happen to have any old pictures of 2 month old silkies that they have figured out the genders on? Or even birds around that age?

Just brought home two little babies from show stock. The parents look fabulous. I tried to make my best judgement which chosing. Obviously I'm not expecting miracles.

Help?

 

[robin416]

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It would be better if you posted side shots of your new birds. All of them mature at different rates. I've got one I knew was a male at 1 month and I have an odd color showing up in my whites that if the bird is the gray color will be male. But I've had them keep me guessing for six months.