Silkie thread!

[mama2my4]

Don't be too quick to say there is no 4-H in your area... are you sure? We are in the middle of no where and we have a 4-H. Although, it took me 6 months of searching! Call your country extension office and they will tell you the nearest one to you. I didn't realize that and I was trying to find out thru much harder means. Wish someone had told me THAT to begin with! Then it was amazing how much you can find out at your extension office! They will also get you in contact with an NPIP tester. Your birds MUST be tested before any showing is done. (again, your extension office will know who is a state tester nearest you) And NO you can't get SQ or BQ from hatchery chicks. I have hatchery chicks-- they are a very poor representation. I gave up and bought 6 month old birds from a very reputable breeder instead. That isn't cheap, though, I spent quite a bit of money doing that. But in the long run, I don't see any way around it unless you hatch from a reputable breeder-- and then you MIGHT get something decent... but maybe not. But I'd say you have good chances-- but you could still end up with DQ's of leakage or wrong number of toes, etc, etc... Anyway, if your kids are at least 7 yrs old, better get on that FAST. Projects are due pretty much now, but I'm sure they'd let you slip in if you did it quick. Our first show is March 24th-- and they are all over the state-- places you'd never guess! Opened my eyes, for sure! We're doing breed standard judging and Showmanship. You'll learn fast people take this breeding thing pretty seriously-- but it's fun!! The people are super nice!

My just turned 8 year old son used to be in 4H, but it was not gear towards agriculture. We have recently move from NC to PA and are looking for a group here. He has said he would like to show our silkies. I am excited for him (ok... and for me!!)

 

[Hawkeye95]

Well first off Im pretty sure theres an age limit on 4H and I know Im almost out of it. Also, thank you for the acronym lesson lol I'm sure I'll be back on here looking for someone with SQ or at least BQ in my area. I will be sure to find out how to contact my extension office and find out more info though. Thanks

the age limit, I believe is 18yrs of age, or as long as you are in HS. So if you haven't hit that-- you can be in 4-H.

 

[Hawkeye95]

My just turned 8 year old son used to be in 4H, but it was not gear towards agriculture. We have recently move from NC to PA and are looking for a group here. He has said he would like to show our silkies. I am excited for him (ok... and for me!!)

That is great!! It might depend on the group you go with as far as what they concentrate on. The group I'm in really concentrate more on milk goats, Foods, clothing, rifles (marksmanship), etc... No one really does poultry. So we are sticking with our group and will be attending classes with other groups that do more poultry stuff. Most meetings that are specific to say-- rocketry, or poultry, etc-- that will be at the county extension office itself. A lot of times, they will offer a clinic you can sign up for that is out of your 4-H group-- but it counts for your activites (to be put in your project book). No one offers Showmanship here-- so we're going out of district to learn in a couple of weeks. It's fun to do a bit of traveling and meeting other groups, people with the same interests! I hope you get signed up quick if you are wanting to do it this year. The projects were supposed to be turned in last month. I bet if you called asap they might let you squeak in for this year.

 

[mama2my4]

That is great!! It might depend on the group you go with as far as what they concentrate on. The group I'm in really concentrate more on milk goats, Foods, clothing, rifles (marksmanship), etc... No one really does poultry. So we are sticking with our group and will be attending classes with other groups that do more poultry stuff. Most meetings that are specific to say-- rocketry, or poultry, etc-- that will be at the county extension office itself. A lot of times, they will offer a clinic you can sign up for that is out of your 4-H group-- but it counts for your activites (to be put in your project book). No one offers Showmanship here-- so we're going out of district to learn in a couple of weeks. It's fun to do a bit of traveling and meeting other groups, people with the same interests! I hope you get signed up quick if you are wanting to do it this year. The projects were supposed to be turned in last month. I bet if you called asap they might let you squeak in for this year.

Thanks for the tip. I will try to get on that this week!

 

[chisNchickens]

Thanks! Bobbi is so nice...I will post pics for sure IF they hatch. lol Had a great hatch my first time, and after ordering three dozen I just hope luck doesn't swing the other way this time!

YAY!!! Good luck! Good luck!! Happy hatching your little silkies!!!! I'm sooooo jealous! I want to buy some super nice silkie eggs!

 

[spatulagirl]

Hello All!

I just wanted to introduce myself and get started in this thread. I had my flock of layers, guineas and pet Silkies slaughtered by a person and their dog(s) back in October and am just starting my flock anew. I did have one layer, one silkie hen and one guinea survive the slaughter.

Anyway, I bought two dozen Silkie eggs from CJ's Silkies and stuck them in the incubator Monday night. I am going to candle them in a few days to see what is developing. I got some roosters for free from some friends who had too many but one of them is definitely not breed worthy (I know that now after reading this thread, which btw too me days!) due to his comb shape. He is so sweet though.

We also have a Sultie hen (Sultan/Silkie cross) we got to replace one that was killed. That is a great cross any I look forward to trying to breed her with a Silkie rooster.

So I am just starting out and the most important thing I have gotten from this thread is to take my time and let each bird develop for several months before making a decision on whether to breed or cull.

My kids are super excited to get started. We love Silkies here. My husband thinks they are freaky. He calls them wolf birds LOL

 

[chisNchickens]

Oh boy - definitely be careful. I just posted in the 'managing your flock" section yesterday about my mean reds. And I mean MEAN. As soon as I can replace them they will be going to freezer camp. They are attacking my dogs, my silkies, my cats - you name it. And I am talking about hens. The roo didn't make it past four months. They corned one of my chis yesterday and if I hadn't been there I think they may have killed her. I will never have another production red. (It was a red who delivered the near deadly blow to my Bonk).

Oh well that might mean she will have to be seperated (with a buddy) cause we also got some Production Reds and from what I hear, they can be quite bossy. If they peck her too hard on her head, she could die couldn't she?

 

[stoopid]

Welcome, spatulagirl! It is horrible that people can be so ignorant about their dogs, I am sorry you went thru that.
Yes, it is difficult waiting for those eggs to hatch, but so worth it!
You should be very pleased with CJ's eggs, hers are very pretty.
Good luck with them!
Roberta

 

[countrygirl911]

well out of the 4 that hatched i have had 3 to die on me and not really sure why the temp is right where it needs to be and they have clean water and food going today and getting some buddies for the lonly chick

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
NPIP testing is not universally required. SOME states require it, but by no means all. Most eastern states do, and most western states do not. 4H begins at 9 here, and that 9 must be by the first of the year. You have to be signed up by December of the previous year. Very little poultry 4H in my county, but a lot more than there was just a few years ago. On the other hand, two adjacent/nearby counties have a TON of poultry 4H groups--it really depends on where you are located. Different parts of the country tend to have shows at different times of the year.