Silkie thread!

[Suzierd]

Yes, very possible but make sure the hens don't get worn out from being bred to much.

Thanks Peep this gives me hope, maybe it's worth a try.

 

[peepblessed]

Thanks Peep this gives me hope, maybe it's worth a try.

Just keep a close eye on the girls backs to see if they are losing feather cover. Some roos are really active and some aren't. Also one roo will be dominate and may not allow the other roo to breed much.

 

[CALI CHICK]

Thanks for the replys. I have a very hard decision on which Roo to part with. I can't afford to build another pen right now. It's a slow process getting the one were working on now done as my husband health isn't real good. I'm just so attached to all of them. I have the worse luck with my pullets turning into Roos.

I have the same problem with my "hopeful" pullets turning into roosters. Guys joke about being Chick Magnets

I'm beginning to think I'm a Rooster Magnet!

I'm not sure what I will do, once I figure out genders of my silkies. Right now, I try to sell whoever has a fault pop up because I don't want it in future babies. For example, I just noticed 2 of my splash cockerels are getting a few red tipped feathers. (I'm 95% sure they are cockerels, but either way...) They will have to be re-homed.

Suzie, how many hens do you have with the 2 roosters? I've seen some breeding pens with a 1 to 6 ratio. And, I've seen other people that just build daytime "tractors" for a breeding pair, but then everyone sleeps in the same coop at night. I've built tractors out of wood and PVC pipe for about $30. You could keep one rooster & hen in the tractor and the other in the pen or free ranging without building a second coop. Just an idea.

 

[Sanna]

Yep, good place.

Would you guys mind sharing these good FB pages devoted to Silkies?

 

[ChickensXOXO]

I wanted to share a few pictures from the other day.

 

[littlecritters]

I'd appreciate some advice with this silkie. I think she has a problem with her back, possibly some sort of curvature and roaching. Her profile is different from her two siblings but it had always been subtle. Now it seems to be more noticiable. This morning, she got knocked off balance by another bird at the feeder and I brought her inside to take the following pics. She has no wasting, weakness or other issues...which makes me feel this is a skeletal issue and not neurological.

I'm concerned that if her internal organs are compressed, she may have a hard time laying eggs and may not thrive or be vigorous. I'm not sure whether to keep her as a pet. She would certainly not be used for breeding, but I'm not sure if quality of life will become an issue. My husband made me laugh when he suggested that I take her to a chicken chiropractor. Any input would be appreciated, as I am unsure what to do.

Pic 1 - If you touch her back, the right hip is 1/4" to 1/2" lower than the left hip. I'm pointing at in this photo.


Pic 2 - Her spine seems to curve toward the left hip (on the right side of this pic) and also "humps up" a bit.I'm touching her spine in this pic.

Pic 3 - In this photo you can see that her right side is more rounded and appears shorter than her left side, which is longer and straighter.

Pic 4 - Same here...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Most exhibitor breeders do not consider bird sales a business. That said, taking your money that far ahead of ahead of time is not appropriate, IMO. Asking for it far enough in advance for the check or money order to clear before going to the expense of shipping is one thing, asking for it months in advance is something else entirely.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Thanks for the replys. I have a very hard decision on which Roo to part with. I can't afford to build another pen right now. It's a slow process getting the one were working on now done as my husband health isn't real good. I'm just so attached to all of them. I have the worse luck with my pullets turning into Roos.

Any way the extra boys could free range, eating bugs and grass and all the other goodies of life they will enjoy out of the pen?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I'm getting out of showing silkies. They just weren't right, even though I love their looks and their personality. My partridge rooster died a few weeks back, and now his remaining 2 hens will just be pet chickens. I've gotten a lot of info on here, so thanks, everyone!

Sorry it didn't work out, Tani

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I wanted to share a few pictures from the other day.

Lovely!