Silkie thread!

[chickendales]

Quote:
a mink can get in also any thing

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
My Georgie just yells at them and chases them away. I wish she would go after them. It sure would help me knock down the population.

 

[Christie Loves Silkies]

Quote:
a mink can get in also any thing

I don't even know if we have them over here in Australia.
A local breeder said it could of been rats or a snake, but theres never snakes in my yard.

 

[ki4got]

looking around I haven't seen any word one way or the other, so I'll ask here.

I've got a small flock of bantams, assorted breeds (sultan, oegb, brahma, cochin, d'anvers, rir), right now. they go to 'bed' just before dark and hubby opens the door before dawn when he leaves for work, and everyone has the run of the property all day long. 26 acres, tho they don't explore much more than the horse's pasture and yard. I'd say they roam about an acre or a little more. there's plenty of shelter from wind/rain in the trees/bushes and under the assorted trailers (camper, utility, horse). not to mention hanging out under the deck (wish they wouldn't poop so much there tho LOL). oh, and the dogs do pretty good keeping the predator population at bay too, while not bothering the chickens at all. I do have a small pen for those times when I can't let them out, but it's really small so I only tend to use it as a worst case type situation.

so here's my question. how would silkies do with this kind of setup? shut in the coop at night and free ranged during the days.

 

[Christie Loves Silkies]

My silkies, free range all day, and go into the coop when it starts to get dark, i go out and then lock it.
They enjoy running around outside all day.
mine ae fine with it, they dont have a problem with it at all.

edited to add the last line.

 

[chickendales]

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pet quailty silkie should do ok but show quaity bird with big top know seem to be lil more apt to get lost

 

[robin416]

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I saw someone say that rain can be a problem for them. Its true, if they are close to shelter as soon as it begins to rain they'll make it to it. But if they're out in the open and its a sudden down pour their poofs end up covering their eyes so they can't see to get to some where dry.

 

[Direchicken]

Hello all.

Just to let you know that Silkie is among the breeds I've started to assemble photos for in order to help people trying to sex their chicks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=102688-sexing-different-breeds

I only have photos of a few Silkies so far, but I have a good spread of different ages, and it could be that some of you will already find this useful. It's also likely that some of you already have (or would be willing to take) photos that would enhance this collection. If so, I'd be grateful if you could let me know by sending me a PM or an email. I have only limited experience with Silkies but I get the feeling that the rates at which secondary sexual characteristics develop for this breed varies widely between different individuals, so the more birds are included in this collection the more reliable and useful it will become!

Best wishes,

Mark

 

[racuda]

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I had two Silkie chicks hatch last weekend. I took pics of them at one day old. I plan to continue to take pictures of them at one week intervals until they are obviously male or female. You can use the pictures if you like.

 

[Direchicken]

Hi racuda, that is absolutely ideal, thanks for getting back to me. I'll be delighted to use your photos. I hope both the chicks turn out to be what you want them to be! Cheers, Mark