Silkie thread!

[Swissmiss989]

So sorry to hear!

 

[Basel]

I figure it'll be back, so I am baiting the trap with the remains of my glw, and going to play cowboy with a .22 in the morning. I know its just surviving too, but it's not going to survive on my chickens again.

Why don't you live trap it and relocate it? It is a terrible tragedy that you lost so many birds through your weak spot. I am very sorry to hear this. But as you said, that coon didn't mean anything by it-- it was just trying to stay alive itself.

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

I saw a photo contest on here, a new one I think, for chicks. He/she would be awesome in it. -Pam

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

So cute! Great pic!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
This is PRECISELY what I am trying to understand. In my other breeds "blue" birds (grey) with speckles like this would not be splash - I don't think. Maybe I'm wrong on that? Genetically, "splash" is a white bird with blue and black flecks so if these ARE splash - are they actually carrying Bl/Bl even though they appear more blue than white? (Your birds are LOVELY, by the way!)

 

[Suzierd]

...

I dont have photos because they are so darn small! I can try to get a photo later tho. To me it sounded like mites because the silkies had build up on the base of their feathers by their scalp (it looked like mud and since the silkies play in the mud and rain it wasnt really a surprise. if they had mud on them) I really hate wild birds. How do i keep wild birds out of my pens?

 
I use to have the birds getting in my run all the time and I put a tarp over the top so my silkies could enjoy the run without getting rained on and I haven't seen any birds in their since. Maybe something to try. Or get smaller wire. Thank goodness I haven't noticed any mites.

 

[ThaiChick]

I just set 3 dozen eggs from CJ's silkies. I picked them up on Tuesday. I am praying for a good hatch...my hatches haven't been so good lately although they have been shipped eggs, and we drove to pick these silkie eggs up. Half are BBS, then there are two SG, some white, some partridge (or maybe the P stands for paint? not sure!) and lavender partridge...I forget what else but I am very excited. I've been waiting for these guys since November! Once I see what hatches I'll decide what varieties I want to work with.
I still have my 4 white silkies from Tractor Supply, but I am dying for the "real thing." Those four all have some issues...no leg feathering on two, one has a straight comb and no vaulted skull (worst silkie ever??) and the one I believe is a boy has very sparse feathering on his legs. None of them have particularly good temperaments. The boy is the only one I can get close to. So I can't wait for some sweet well bred chicks!!!

Good luck on your hatch! I feel for you on your birds of questionable origin. That's what I started calling a couple of mine. I purchased a couple "silkie" chicks and they are growing into very un-silkie like birds..

 

[KMHunter]

Quote:

 

[mama2my4]

I have horrible news. A coon got in my silkie coop last night. I lost all of my silkies except my roo roger... the one that got scalped by a hawk a month or so ago, and 3 wyandotte chicks that Leila was fostering. It managed to get in by going in between the dog run and the coop, pulling the fencing off on that side of the coop tractor. I put that side against the dog run cuz I knew it was a weak side until I could buy the last of my trim wood to sandwiche the last section of fencing. I am so mad at myself. I just ran out of money and still needed about $30 in wood, and was getting that on tuesday when I get paid again. I can see on the fencing where it tried to get in at other places as couldn't, so I know I did a good job there, but I thought that putting the tractor up against the dog run on its weak spot wouldnt give room for anything to get through.


Lesson learned. I am so mad I am in tears.

I am so sorry!!

 

[mama2my4]

Right--- well, this has been my thinking all along. In fact, I was getting good at spotting a washed out Splash with a darker diluted Splash-- mine are darker and I really like them. I have several Blues as well-- easy to spot in my opinion, even the lighter ones with some darker feathers-- like the first picture you posted. But my Splash, never considered them a messy Blue because they did not have a white base. We have to leave here in a bit-- day camp stuff for the kids, but when I get back, I'll be able to go get pics of some of my younger birds and post.

I had never second guessed myself until just now!

It can be difficult for sure.

Now my plan is to take that washed out looking splash (who is a LOVE, btw) and breed her to a dark blue roo. I love the really dark splash and the really light blues.