Silkie thread!

[Teresaann24]

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They deff look porcelain to me! Congrats they are cuties! As for the vaults, some have it some don't. I don't prefer one over the other really. Some vaulted birds end up with smaller crests than non-vaulted and visa versa. It depends on the breeder if they breed for it or not. I look at how they turn out as adults. Also, some people prefer non-vaulted, because vaulteds can have more tender heads and be more prone to head injuries. It truly is personal preference. Here are some great articles on vaults:

http://www.hattricksilkies.net/articles_vaulted_skull.html
http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article.html

I plan on trying to not breed for vaulted skulls I am have too much trouble with adults get head injuries and them having hard time hatching. I am about to give up over here I have already started to clean out my unwanted birds PQ or older birds. I think I am in rut right now and just don't know which way to go <------------------>?

 

[Debbi]

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Thanks. I went out to look at them again, and glad I did. The White one does have black skin, and the legs are getting darker, dark slate as of right now. Looking around some more, I found one little Partridge had splayed legs. Taped them with vet wrap, (that was NO easy task!), and now it's running around trying to get it off.

At least now it may walk right. I've never had splayed legs before, and they are on paper towel for now, until they stop looking at the pine shavings as food. Looks like it was only the one having a problem.

When I have any with splayed legs I use that rubbery mesh-like shelf liner. I wish I knew the name of it but it is very helpful. they don't slide at all and can get a grip with their feet. It's totally washable too. I just soak it with laundry soap or dawn dish liquid and a little bleach and scrub it out, rinse and wring out. I hang them up on a hanger on the shower rod. I don't use vet wrap to make boots with either. I use cloth tape. It's easier on the feather footed breeds.

Yes, I usually use the rubber-like shelf liner also. Couldn't believe I ran out of it already, and the store was out of it! How dare someone line their shelves with it?!

I used to use surgical paper tape for all kinds of issues, but I find it doesn't stick well with chicks or chickens with feathered shanks. The vet wrap doesn't stick to the feathers like a tape would, and it is still on and doing it's job this morning. The little one is running around just like the rest of the little crazies. I have to go to town today, so will get some more of the shelf liner for sure! At 2 bucks a roll, I usually just clean them out...

 

[LaBaze]

I have some questions about them and showing...

I want to get a show quality silkie and start caring,breeding, and showing them. I am a chicken owner ( I have alot of chickens and 3 non SQ silkies and have had chickens for about 3 years now) so I can take care of them, but since they are bred for showing and are a bit smaller and more delicate then typical backyard flock birds I have some questions on them.

1. First off what color silkies are the most common in shows? And are all the different colored birds welcome in shows or only certain colors?

2. If I breed my show silkies, which I want to, do they need to be in a different area from the other SQ hens?

3. Ive never shown before and I'm going to get involved in the homeschool association and they go to shows, once again I havent shown before and although im looking into it more and more is there anything you can tell me or any tips for a first show?

4. What kind of "special treatment" do they need in order to keep them clean, happy, and, well, safe?

5. Does anyone know of a SQ silkie breeder in Louisiana, so I might be able to pick them up instead of shipped to me?


This has absolutley nothing to do with showing but Ive heard of a silkie called a Paint Silkie and I want one. Does anyone know if they are even possible to get, where I can get one, and if so how much are they?

Thanks!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

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[LaBaze]

2. If I breed my show silkies, which I want to, do they need to be in a different area from the other SQ hens? Not sure what you mean by this. I keep my breeding birds in a couple different groups.
I mean because I know that silkies will steal each others eggs when broody so should I keep them seperate so that they don't fight over another silkies babies?

 

[Chicklette 1]

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Just mark the eggs.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

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If you let them sit, they will steal eachothers eggs, unless they are seperate. I don't let my girls sit, since then they stop laying for months, and I need to hatch out the eggs to get new stock.

 

[Chicklette 1]

Only have 1 chick I hatched this year out of the two that made it . This is a cross between my white silkie roo and my gray/blue bantam EE. Just though you might find it interesting what color came out of this breeding. I think she's very cute and I hope she IS a she!

 

[joe17]

You should breed her back to you silkie roo and see if her offspring is silkied.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

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If you let them sit, they will steal eachothers eggs, unless they are seperate. I don't let my girls sit, since then they stop laying for months, and I need to hatch out the eggs to get new stock.

Ditto. Broodies are the worst when you need eggs to hatch!