Silkie thread!

[LaPetiteFarmer]

Color experts, what color would you consider this? I call her chocolate (her name is Cocoa) and I guess this would not be a recognized color if it is. Her body is a dark chocolate color and her beard and petticoat fluff is a lighter milk chocolate color. Also what color would be best to breed her if I wanted to continue working on this. I really love it!

Beautiful... love her

 

[littlecritters]

thanx do u think acv and the regular vitamin and electrolyte supplements in water will work fine?

For wry neck, it would be better to administer vitamins and supplements directly to the bird rather than just adding it to the water. I posted the following on another thread...which you may find helpful.

This is what I have done for a silke with neurological damage:

Daily:
Vit E capsule 400 mg up to 3 times daily
PolyViSol baby vitamins without iron (1/2 dropper) one time daily - you can use the CVS or Rite Aid generic brand
Sprinkle Poulty Conditioner (Manna Pro) on feed one time daily

Weekly:
Sprinkle Probiotics (Tractor Supply) on the feed once a week
Add 1 capful of Red Cell to a gallon of water one time weekly, Note- Red Cell contains selenium

To administer the vitamins:
Gently wrap bird in a towel (or a sleeve cut from a sweatshirt or an ace bandage). Not too tight, because chickens don't have diaphragms like we do...and can suffocate.
Place bird on its back, lay bird on your lap with head by your knees.
I usually rub a little VetRx on the comb and nostrils with my finger. This helps the bird relax, and it smells good.
Gently open the beak, place vitamin dropper in, squeeze...and you are done.
Next take your Vit E capsule. With your teeth, bite a tiny bit off one end. Place in beak, squeeze and dispose of empty capsule.

Alternate method:
If your bird loves warm oatmeal or mashed hard boiled eggs...you can add the above vitamins to the treat and feed it to the sick bird. Just try to be sure that all is eaten.

 

[moomoodiddy]

For wry neck, it would be better to administer vitamins and supplements directly to the bird rather than just adding it to the water. I posted the following on another thread...which you may find helpful.
This is what I have done for a silke with neurological damage:
Daily:
Vit E capsule 400 mg up to 3 times daily
PolyViSol baby vitamins without iron (1/2 dropper) one time daily - you can use the CVS or Rite Aid generic brand
Sprinkle Poulty Conditioner (Manna Pro) on feed one time daily
Weekly:
Sprinkle Probiotics (Tractor Supply) on the feed once a week
Add 1 capful of Red Cell to a gallon of water one time weekly, Note- Red Cell contains selenium
To administer the vitamins:
Gently wrap bird in a towel (or a sleeve cut from a sweatshirt or an ace bandage). Not too tight, because chickens don't have diaphragms like we do...and can suffocate.
Place bird on its back, lay bird on your lap with head by your knees.
I usually rub a little VetRx on the comb and nostrils with my finger. This helps the bird relax, and it smells good.
Gently open the beak, place vitamin dropper in, squeeze...and you are done.
Next take your Vit E capsule. With your teeth, bite a tiny bit off one end. Place in beak, squeeze and dispose of empty capsule.
Alternate method:
If your bird loves warm oatmeal or mashed hard boiled eggs...you can add the above vitamins to the treat and feed it to the sick bird. Just try to be sure that all is eaten.

i knew i recognized this from somewhere im just tryin to get diff opinions

 

[cindersga]

Color experts, what color would you consider this? I call her chocolate (her name is Cocoa) and I guess this would not be a recognized color if it is. Her body is a dark chocolate color and her beard and petticoat fluff is a lighter milk chocolate color. Also what color would be best to breed her if I wanted to continue working on this. I really love it!

CUZ where did you get this doll baby? OM goodness how beautiful. I want to be first on your list if you can get chicks like this!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!!!!!

 

[cindersga]

For wry neck, it would be better to administer vitamins and supplements directly to the bird rather than just adding it to the water. I posted the following on another thread...which you may find helpful.
This is what I have done for a silke with neurological damage:
Daily:
Vit E capsule 400 mg up to 3 times daily
PolyViSol baby vitamins without iron (1/2 dropper) one time daily - you can use the CVS or Rite Aid generic brand
Sprinkle Poulty Conditioner (Manna Pro) on feed one time daily
Weekly:
Sprinkle Probiotics (Tractor Supply) on the feed once a week
Add 1 capful of Red Cell to a gallon of water one time weekly, Note- Red Cell contains selenium
To administer the vitamins:
Gently wrap bird in a towel (or a sleeve cut from a sweatshirt or an ace bandage). Not too tight, because chickens don't have diaphragms like we do...and can suffocate.
Place bird on its back, lay bird on your lap with head by your knees.
I usually rub a little VetRx on the comb and nostrils with my finger. This helps the bird relax, and it smells good.
Gently open the beak, place vitamin dropper in, squeeze...and you are done.
Next take your Vit E capsule. With your teeth, bite a tiny bit off one end. Place in beak, squeeze and dispose of empty capsule.
Alternate method:
If your bird loves warm oatmeal or mashed hard boiled eggs...you can add the above vitamins to the treat and feed it to the sick bird. Just try to be sure that all is eaten.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

 

[cindersga]

I have some black chicks, but they look blue to me. Is this normal? When do they usually start getting darker? Any tips on how to differentiate them right after they hatch?

From what I've been told Black will have black feathers all the way down to their skin. Dark Blue can look black but if you follow the feather down it turns a medium and then light gray. I was told I had a black silkie and in fact he is a dark blue. Hope this helps.

 

[cindersga]

Yes my silkies LOVE the FF. I drain it from water well for the silkies, so it is an oatmeal consistency. I do notice changes. Their feathers look nicer, Pearl lays bigger - stronger eggs, and their poop is firm and smell free. They were never sick, so I can't say it improved their health, but it sure helps my pocket book

And their faces when I serve it.. They are really happy with the feed. They go nuts!

Is there a recipe for the FF?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: ACV is ACV. Now there is apple cider FLAVOURED vinegar, and that is not the same thing, but it will say flavoured on the label.

 

[Fur N Feathers]

That's a beautiful and unique color!

Thanks Pam!

I hope she will give me babies just like her.

she's gorgeous =) If you were to breed her I would say go with partridge

Thank you! My partridge boy is a silver partridge and is not old enough to mate yet, do you think that would work? The only golden partridge I have is a female.

Beautiful... love her

Thank you! I do too!

CUZ where did you get this doll baby? OM goodness how beautiful. I want to be first on your list if you can get chicks like this!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!!!!!

She has just started laying eggs. I will get you some if you want to try them come Spring. By that time I should be able to see what her babies will look like.

 

[aoxa]

Is there a recipe for the FF?

It's different for everyone.

Here's what I do:

50% - 24% Turkey Grower
25% - 3 grain scratch (corn, barley, oats)
25% - Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Make enough FF for 2 days of feeding. Cover this mixture with water and stir. Let sit for a few hours, and stir again. If you work - start this at night and mix in the morning. I mix morning and close up time. Make sure there is water covering the feed (just a little) because you don't want it to mold. Once the pellets have swelled, and you smell a nice sour smell (like sourdough bread) you can serve. Usually after 24 hours. After first feeding, add back more dry feed. Two scoops of their food (layer, starter, grower, flock raiser), 1 scoop scratch (you use scratch because FF makes 12% more protein available for absorption), and 1 scoop BOSS (you don't necessarily have to use BOSS - use 75% feed if you want to and 25% scratch).

When you add the U-ACV at first, put as much as you want. There is no wrong amount. I don't measure.

You can get buckets at the dollar store. If you want to get two, you can. I have too many birds to do such a small system, but I would if I didn't.

Hope this helps...

You can read more about FF here: http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.ca/p/fermented-feed.html