Silkie thread!

[gavinandallison]

Am looking to move my Silkie chicks outside at 8 weeks, does anyone think that is too early? At present they are 5 weeks old, 7 of them, in a 4x2x2 stock tank. They are feathering well and am hoping they will be fine outside. I do have a heat lamp that I can put on for them at night if it gets too cold. (It will be on as I am a soft touch towards my chicks......)

 

[jeb251]

thank you so much for the info, it was very helpful,,,, do you sell lavender hatching eggs and if you do, what is your price for a dozen


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Never heard of an "egger strain". Yes, silkies are bantams and yes, you will see all sizes from very petite to very large. There is nothing recognized in the breed as a "micro silkie", but some do tend to be on the much smaller side. Yes, the lavenders are now an accepted variety...only in the bearded lavenders. Non-bearded are not yet an accepted variety.

 

[smoothmule]

I've been watching the classified section/auctions for a bit but haven't found what I'm looking for yet. I want 4 to 6 older Silkie hens (but would consider a single sweet old hen) I would prefer they come from the same flock so they will have buddies with them but I know that will be harder to find. They don't need to lay any more if they will set eggs and just be loving pets. I would be happy to have "retired" hens that aren't producing or even younger that are not good egg layers. I do want them to be fluffy and pretty but they can have any sort of conformation "faults" as long as they're sweet and like to be held. They will have their own pen with no rooster and they can set and raise some of the Serama chicks for me and be pets. I don't care what color, I've never seen a color I didn't like. I use pine shavings inside on the ground and outside I add sand to scratch in and fluff in. Mine are wormed on a schedule and fed Purina crumbles and pellets for the larger chickens. I buy vitamin enriched bird seed for cockatiels as a treat and vegetables/fruits scraps are routine too.

I raise a few Serama's, I just have 3 pairs so it's not like I'm into "production". They're very good to SQ and I won't have more than maybe one more pair so the Silkie hens won't even be setting that much. If they insist, I can always just let them have a couple each. Mostly, I just think they're sweet. I also have Araucana's but I have larger hens to set those eggs or I incubate them. In the summer, when I get home from work, I let them roam the back yard in the grass. I don't have large numbers and they're all pets. They are not an income, I spend some of my income (I'm an RN) to care for them and in return, I stay healthy

Between the fresh eggs from my 4 Maran hens and the mental health benefits of having chickens and my other farm animals, I couldn't ask for more.

I'm not subscribed to this topic so please PM me with photo's and information about available hens or email me at [email protected] . I'm okay with the older girls. I've had chickens that have been many years old here. One of my guineas has been here 8 years, I have a single bantam brahma hen that I've had almost that long. I spend a good deal of time out with them, my husband calls me nuts sometimes, affectionately, but I'm not the one with high blood pressure

 

[joe17]

It may be hard to get someone to sell you just 4-6 hens. I know a lot of breeders just sell in pairs. Try craigslist or the classifieds. If you get lucky, you could find someone having a flock sale where they sell almost their whole flock. Goodluck!

 

[Miss Lydia]

wish I could help you out, you sound like the ideal pet owner... hope you find some

 

[Brody's Broodello]

Just wanted to post that I am selling out of my NB White flock. 3 Pairs left, including my winning BV & RV birds from last fall. All bred by Kate Morreale. I'm selling out to make room for my other projects. Here is the link to my auction. Thanks

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=457087

 

[gavinandallison]

The babies had their first visit outside today, here's some pics of their little road trip:

They seemed to enjoy themselves out with Henry - the Roo we won at Morganton

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

How cute

 

[Colie <3]

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Cute! How old are they?

 

[NewToFarming]

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They are very cute and so is your roo! They look like they really enjoyed it outside!