Silkies chicks

[LadiesAndJane]

These are breeder birds. I got these chicks from the same person I got my chocolate pullet from. I dont think I would get hatchery silkies, just because I'm all about the fluff.

She is beautiful! Give your young ones time. They should fluff up.

 

[Jhymel]

She is beautiful! Give your young ones time. They should fluff up.

Thank you! I most certainly will.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I know you cant tell the sex at 8 weeks, but I'm more concern on how small my chicks still are. They eat and have lots of energy.

Silkies are considered bantam in the US and in the UK even their large fowl SIlkies top out around 3-4 pounds. They look completely normal to me.. just asking what you are feeding including treats and supplements since you express concern. I'm personally seeing all pullets noting wattle size is NOT matching the comb swelling on the darker bird enough to make me think cockerel. The lack of feathering fluff you mention may only be due to the growth stage (different feathering rates are common due to genetic differences even among siblings).. or it could be indicative of breeding quality.. First one looks pretty good, Second looks hatchery quality so far. Third looks correct. Noting I can't make out toes and such.

1) Partridge pullet, bearded.
2) Not black.. maybe chocolate or blue partridge?? Can't make out bearded or non, still thinking pullet.
3)Blue Partridge showgirl, non bearded pullet.

Cockerels always show their gender easier than gals.. If none are displaying clear clues yet.. you might be in luck according to my experience.. which is only a couple years breeding Silkies and ALL lines have variations. I'm just guessing at colors

Thank you! The pullet will be going to Florida to live with grandma so I was hoping at least the black or showgirl would be a pullet.

Please understand.. that if you are not also in Florida.. it is illegal to take chickens across state lines without a veterinary verification or other proper documentation.. as required by the government in hopes to protect our national food supply chain.. Some link to a couple excellent resources to help when you're ready..

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...-Guide/Animal-Movement/interstate-regulations

https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cvi/transporting-livestock

Overall, your little cuties look perfect and I don't see any cause for alarm.

ETA: as an avid hatcher/breeder.. no matter how hard I select in my parent stock.. not every chick that hatches will be high quality. Grow outs which don't meet breeding criteria still make perfectly good pet layers.

 

[Jhymel]

Silkies are considered bantam in the US and in the UK even their large fowl SIlkies top out around 3-4 pounds. They look completely normal to me.. just asking what you are feeding including treats and supplements since you express concern. I'm personally seeing all pullets noting wattle size is NOT matching the comb swelling on the darker bird enough to make me think cockerel. The lack of feathering fluff you mention may only be due to the growth stage (different feathering rates are common due to genetic differences even among siblings).. or it could be indicative of breeding quality.. First one looks pretty good, Second looks hatchery quality so far. Third looks correct. Noting I can't make out toes and such.

1) Partridge pullet, bearded.
2) Not black.. maybe chocolate or blue partridge?? Can't make out bearded or non, still thinking pullet.
3)Blue Partridge showgirl, non bearded pullet.

Cockerels always show their gender easier than gals.. If none are displaying clear clues yet.. you might be in luck according to my experience.. which is only a couple years breeding Silkies and ALL lines have variations. I'm just guessing at colors


Please understand.. that if you are not also in Florida.. it is illegal to take chickens across state lines without a veterinary verification or other proper documentation.. as required by the government in hopes to protect our national food supply chain.. Some link to a couple excellent resources to help when you're ready..

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...-Guide/Animal-Movement/interstate-regulations

https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cvi/transporting-livestock

Overall, your little cuties look perfect and I don't see any cause for alarm.

ETA: as an avid hatcher/breeder.. no matter how hard I select in my parent stock.. not every chick that hatches will be high quality. Grow outs which don't meet breeding criteria still make perfectly good pet layers.

Thank you!! All of the chicks are from high quality birds. I feed them medicated chick feed and sometimes they get a little fresh produce. I'm really hoping for pullets. I did say black but I meant blue (that's what the breeder told me anyways), I'm pretty sure they all have correct toes. I will definitely look into the Florida stuff