Silkie thread!

[Puddin Fluff]

I would like to band all these Silkies. I have two groups, one bred locally from show lines and one from show lines that I hatched.I would like to be able to keep them separate to control breeding (once we get there) and for ID. Thoughts?

Have you considered the spiral leg bands? Most chicken supply magazines ( and I assume online as well) have them. I got mine from the local co-op and paid 5 for a bag of 20 or 25. They come in a variety of colors so we bought two colors to mark the birds my kids wanted to take to fair. Hope this helps.

 

[littlecritters]

OOOOkay...here are some pics of my babies

Diamond


Magnolia--this is the best I could get out of her...


Georgio


They all need baths sooo bad. How long should I give them to adjust before bathing?

I would suggest that new birds be bathed in a flea and tick shampoo as soon as possible. Lice or mites are extremely hard to see with the naked eye, but will come out of hiding when bathed with medicated shampoo or sprayed with something like Poultry Protector. In fact, during bathing the little creepy crawlies may even try to escape onto your hands. If the birds were bathed by the prior owner in regular shampoo, it wouldnt have killed or eradicated any bugs. The last thing anyone wants to do is inadvertently introduce harmful pests into an otherwise healthy flock. And following a 4 week quarantine would be wise.

If you want to ensure they relax and adapt to their new environment, it would help to apply a drop or two of VetRx (for poultry) on their nostrils before bathing. You can continue to apply VetRx daily. Putting a drop under the wings is also a good idea.

Congratulations and good luck! Can't wait to see what your trio produces.

 

[4hchickmama]

I have a question for you guys...technically it is about a part silkie, but there are more of you here and I'm hoping to get some opinions. My Sizzle (silkie x cochin) has gone very broody. Sitting in the nesting box all day facing the corner, refusing to move, stealing eggs to sit on, wont eat or drink unless I force her to. I was going to either get some chicks or fertile eggs for her (I have no roosters so no eggs here are fertile) but then thinking about it, I don't know if I want more chicks just yet BUT my daughters were wanting to get bantam ducks. Could I put ducklings under her? Is this a bad idea? My pure silkie went broody, but she wasn't as hard to break. She still got up to eat and drink but just wanted to nest all the time. Should I just be more aggressive with forcing her to get out of the boxes to get her out of it? We are still new to poultry...and the girls are very upset about it...so if there is something better that I could do for her, let me know.

 

[Fancy Feathers]

Here's a couple of pictures of my new BBS hatch.

 

[littlecritters]

I have a question for you guys...technically it is about a part silkie, but there are more of you here and I'm hoping to get some opinions.  My Sizzle (silkie x cochin) has gone very broody.  Sitting in the nesting box all day facing the corner, refusing to move, stealing eggs to sit on, wont eat or drink unless I force her to.  I was going to either get some chicks or fertile eggs for her (I have no roosters so no eggs here are fertile) but then thinking about it, I don't know if I want more chicks just yet BUT my daughters were wanting to get bantam ducks.  Could I put ducklings under her?  Is this a bad idea?  My pure silkie went broody, but she wasn't as hard to break.  She still got up to eat and drink but just wanted to nest all the time.  Should I just be more aggressive with forcing her to get out of the boxes to get her out of it?  We are still new to poultry...and the girls are very upset about it...so if there is something better that I could do for her, let me know.

I have a silkie hen that raised turkeys for her previous owner. Why not try the ducklings if that is what your daughters are interested in?

 

[4hchickmama]

I have a silkie hen that raised turkeys for her previous owner. Why not try the ducklings if that is what your daughters are interested in?

That is what I wanted to hear. Didn't know if there was some weird "wait you aren't a chicken" rejection that would happen. Best to stick them in with her at night? And the younger the better?

I can have the brooder on standby if she chooses not to take care of them.

 

[CALI CHICK]

Awwwwww, they are SO sweet. It looks like you had a great hatch! Are these from shipped eggs or from your own BBS pens? CONGRATULATIONS, Peeps

BTW-I mentioned to Sheri Minkner (the breeder here in the Lincoln/Sacramento area) that you are looking for a Partridge Rooster. She said she has some. She currently has 2 partridge breeding pens. I'm not sure if your health or schedule would allow for traveling, but in case you would like to network I'll give you her information. Sheri always shows at Stockton each year. Maybe you could meet up there? She is a super nice lady and has been working with silkies for a long time (I think 10+ years.)
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
http://www.californiacountryranch.com
Blog:
http://californiacountryranch.blogspot.com/

Here's a couple of pictures of my new BBS hatch.

 

[lil mama]

My wyandotte pullet jumped on my young silkie's back and pecked him in the head. Now he is acting very strange. He just sits there with his head down. He did this one time before when he got beat up by one of my hens(that I got rid of becuz of it) but by the next day he was fine. Has this ever happened to any of you? Does he have brain damage? Thanks

 

[4hchickmama]

Awwwwww, they are SO sweet. It looks like you had a great hatch! Are these from shipped eggs or from your own BBS pens? CONGRATULATIONS, Peeps

BTW-I mentioned to Sheri Minkner (the breeder here in the Lincoln/Sacramento area) that you are looking for a Partridge Rooster. She said she has some. She currently has 2 partridge breeding pens. I'm not sure if your health or schedule would allow for traveling, but in case you would like to network I'll give you her information. Sheri always shows at Stockton each year. Maybe you could meet up there? She is a super nice lady and has been working with silkies for a long time (I think 10+ years.)
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
http://www.californiacountryranch.com
Blog:
http://californiacountryranch.blogspot.com/

I'm going to the Stockon show next year in January too and I know Sheri and would gladly transport anything if she doesn't have the room or time.

 

[mystdogs]

I have a question for you guys...technically it is about a part silkie, but there are more of you here and I'm hoping to get some opinions. My Sizzle (silkie x cochin) has gone very broody. Sitting in the nesting box all day facing the corner, refusing to move, stealing eggs to sit on, wont eat or drink unless I force her to. I was going to either get some chicks or fertile eggs for her (I have no roosters so no eggs here are fertile) but then thinking about it, I don't know if I want more chicks just yet BUT my daughters were wanting to get bantam ducks. Could I put ducklings under her? Is this a bad idea? My pure silkie went broody, but she wasn't as hard to break. She still got up to eat and drink but just wanted to nest all the time. Should I just be more aggressive with forcing her to get out of the boxes to get her out of it? We are still new to poultry...and the girls are very upset about it...so if there is something better that I could do for her, let me know.

I had a silkie in the past that would sit on my runner duck eggs She raised those ducklings like her own little chicks