Silkie thread!

[ThePolishPrincess]

What does the oil gland on the base of the chickens' tail (I forgot what it's called) do for the bird's feathers?

 

[racuda]

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This is true for my Silkies. No eggs were fertile so I trimmed them and had partial fertility, and hatched a few chicks, then the eggs were infertile again.

Then I read in more detail how to vent trim (different areas on the roosters and hens) and now I'm getting about 65% fertility. All of my other breeds have practically 100% fertility.

 

[CarolinaChickenKeeper]

Look at what I caught at my house.....

Here is my new addition ......

one from my first hatching attempt....


Some from my most recent hatch....

And are these reg partridge or blue partridge??? I have lots that look reg as chicks, but turn out looking more blue

 

[kfchickenlady]

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great pics! Love the tiger, lol.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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It supplies preen oil, which the bird then grooms its feathers with, sort of a cross between a sponge bath and appling lotion, lol.

 

[emvickrey]

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I had my white pen not fertile so I trimmed the feathers on the hens fannys and no more problems with that. I didn't trim them down to the skin but where the vent could be seen when they squat.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

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It supplies preen oil, which the bird then grooms its feathers with, sort of a cross between a sponge bath and appling lotion, lol.

I see...

Is it possible in any way that my hen may not be using this gland to keep her feathers healthy and conditioned? I just don't know how they get so dry and weak...

 

[Debbi]

Set the 20 eggs this morning...now the long wait begins. I could've fit another dozen or so in the bator

Can't wait. I should get Buffs, Whites, Blacks, Partridge, and Splash or Blues.

 

[Teresaann24]

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Good Luck!

 

[kfchickenlady]

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we can be hatch buddies! I set 48 yesterday, over half buffs, then Ps, B/S, a couple of B and Ws, which I really hope hatch! Hope we get good hatches!