Silkie thread!

[littlecritters]

Is there anything wrong with using tiny rubber bands to hold up a silkies crest when they are out free ranging so they can see? Will it damage the feathers or anything?

I have found that rubber bands pop off. I just purchased hair tape and will be using that on my silkies crests. I was only able to locate hair tape at a beauty supply store (Sally's). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[littlecritters]

Since this was the most current Silkie Thread I found I decided to post about combs here. Hope that's ok.

I ordered some Silkies from a hatchery (because at the time I didn't know better) 7 weeks ago. I have 4 black ones that have a single comb instead of the normal walnut comb. Their bodies and feathers are identical to the others other than the color. The others have the walnut comb. Is this normal or could this be a mix up that I need to report to the hatchery? I'm still learning.

I'm not sure if a reply has already been posted...hatchery chicks often do not meet the standards for their breed. It is not surprising that you could have birds with combs that are not the norm. If you are not showing or breeding, the combs should not make any difference. Your birds will still become great pets.


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[cindersga]

I have found that rubber bands pop off. I just purchased hair tape and will be using that on my silkies crests. I was only able to locate hair tape at a beauty supply store (Sally's).
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Ah Ha that is what they were using at the show. I wondered. I thought it was medical tape, lol.

 

[ChicksNherps]

Her eyes look fine and clear, her chest sounds congested when she breathes and sneezes. The other one did have it before but not this time so I am thinking she got immune because she is stronger but the other one is a bit of a runt. Metronidazole is what metro is. It worked for them last time but not this time.

BUT, I did have one die on me yesterday, a sussex. I silkies have been inside for a while so I don't think they were exposed. But 2 days ago she started getting unstable on her feet and sneezing with a runny nose and puffy eyes. Then yesterday she just died. She was still eating and drinking fine yesterday morning and could get around though very unsteadily. That was not good and I don't know what it was =( Luckily I brought the one that is sneezing in about a week ago, and she hasn't shown the same symptoms as the sussex who died and I washed up between handling her and handling the silkies.

The sneezing and coughing has subsided a bit, and looks perkier right now.

 

[SadieSue]

Just got back this evening from Karen Larsons place. Was a 3.5 hour drive, but totally worth it! I learned so much from her in just the two hours that we talked and looked at all of her birds.
There were alot of drool worthy bird on her farm.  Had to wipe it off a few times!

She was so nice and shared her knowledge so openly.
It was wonderful to meet her!
SadieSue also went with me and came home with a cute little hen.
Was a fun road trip. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

X2! It was a really fun and informative day! Karen has a wonderland of pen after pen of gorgeous fluffy silkies. It was like window shopping at a candy store.

I came home with a sweet little pet quality white/paint cross that Karen smiled and said "rumor has it that a lot of folks are calling these creamsicles."

The hen is a cutie though. I'll post photos of her as soon as she gets a little more comfortable. She's a bit scared since I just took her out of the only place she's known in the past year, so she's living in the house with me for a little extra TLC. I thought I'd put her in the x-pen today for some fresh air and she kept trying to cling to me. :/ Poor little sweetie

Thanks for letting me tag along on the road trip KMHunter!

 

[mystdogs]

X2! It was a really fun and informative day! Karen has a wonderland of pen after pen of gorgeous fluffy silkies. It was like window shopping at a candy store.
I came home with a sweet little pet quality white/paint cross that Karen smiled and said "rumor has it that a lot of folks are calling these creamsicles."
The hen is a cutie though. I'll post photos of her as soon as she gets a little more comfortable. She's a bit scared since I just took her out of the only place she's known in the past year, so she's living in the house with me for a little extra TLC. I thought I'd put her in the x-pen today for some fresh air and she kept trying to cling to me.

Poor little sweetie
Thanks for letting me tag along on the road trip KMHunter!

How exciting! Wish I lived closer, but it's a long way from FL. I can't wait until my guys hatch. Only on day three...so long to wait.

 

[aoxa]

I would urge you to not show this bird even if she recovers quickly. Chickens remain carriers even if they are not exhibiting symptoms. It would be a shame if you were to show her and she would pass on an illness to other birds.
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I would agree.

I was suggested by the head of my fur & feather club to put them all on mild antibiotics before a show - called Super Booster. Why? Because there is this guy that goes to the sale part of it and he has been known to sell sick birds, and I was about to give up showing altogether unless we could keep him from going.

Turns out we can't turn him away or we could get sued. Unless his birds are visually unhealthy.

Super Booster Indications: Chickens And Turkeys

As an aid in starting chicks and poults by stimulating feed intake and growth; promotes health and vigor and helps overcome the effects of stress. Stimulates feed intake and maintains weight gain when birds are expected to be exposed to mild attacks of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) and infectious sinusitis and transmissible enteritis in turkeys.

Figure it's better than nothing at all. Though his birds were confirmed NOT to have CRD - it was some form of conjunctivitis - but it is contagious.

 

[peepblessed]

I'm not sure if a reply has already been posted...hatchery chicks often do not meet the standards for their breed. It is not surprising that you could have birds with combs that are not the norm. If you are not showing or breeding, the combs should not make any difference. Your birds will still become great pets.
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I agree. Good answer.

 

[ChicksNherps]

would the npip test show anything? because they have been tested and are negative for anything. When I got them they were doing the same thing and the vet I brought them too who is a certified bird vet said it was a URI and gave me antibiotics. It went away, that was 6 months ago when she was a baby. She looks to be much better now, hasn't sneezed or coughed since I have been home.

 

[aoxa]

would the npip test show anything? because they have been tested and are negative for anything. When I got them they were doing the same thing and the vet I brought them too who is a certified bird vet said it was a URI and gave me antibiotics. It went away, that was 6 months ago when she was a baby. She looks to be much better now, hasn't sneezed or coughed since I have been home.

I do believe with NPIP they test for MG.

Pullorum—An egg-transmitted disease of poultry, caused by Salmonella pullorum, that kills a high proportion (60–80 percent) of baby poultry
• Fowl typhoid—An egg-transmitted disease of poultry, caused by Salmonella gallinarum, that may result in significant mortality in both baby poultry and adult birds
• Avian mycoplasmas—The species of Myco- plasma that are most pathogenic to poultry are the ones covered by the testing program in the NPIP: Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), or Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM)
• Salmonella enterica*—An egg-transmitted disease of poultry, caused by the organism of the same name, that may also have human health implications through consumption of contaminated table eggs
• Avian influenza—A worldwide viral infection of several species of poultry