Silkies...high maintenance?

[Zaxby's2]

First, sorry, I didn't no what to post this question under. At the moment I'm considering getting a silkie, and my concern is that her feathered feet would get dirty all the time. Also I know they're supposed to be broody which is good but are they annoyingly broody? As in not worth the trouble? I have RIRs and think they might pick on her, and that goes into more problems. My main question is are silkies fragile and high maintenance or can they pretty much take of themselves? Any answers or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[emys]

Well, their feet can get dirty pretty often, but much may depend on your source as well. The larger hatcheries tend to have less heavily feathered birds.

They are broody all year round, they lay for a month or two and then go broody.

I don't think I would try just one in a flock of RIRs. Maybe a pair?? They can live with other breeds, but they don't always do well in mixed groups as they tend to be pretty mellow and at the bottom of pecking order.

They are a bit more susceptible to wind and rain due to feather type, but no less cold hardy if kept dry and out of direct wind.



There are standard size breeds that go broody on a regular basis such as Orpingtons...maybe Silkies aren't your breed.

 

[Zaxby's2]

Okay, but I'd still have to think about it. I only have two RIR pullets(and a nice RIR cockerel) but at the moment they are nonagressive and at the bottom of the pecking order, under two more established BOs and a Cornish cross. All are nice. Would I still be taking a chance? Could the RIR cockerel hurt her during mating? And about the feet, I don't mind them getting dirty, I just don't want it to be a health issue?

 

[emys]

You can clean their feet for them periodically if needed. If your coop and run are generally clean, it shouldn't be a large issue.

Rooster danger depends on the individual birds involved.

Your rooster is still young, so you do not know if he will eventually become more aggressive yet, only time will tell. So there is a real risk of injury to the Silkies from the Rooster. Most hatchery Silkies do not have vaulted skulls, whereas breeder Silkies often do have vaulted skulls which leave them vulnerable to head injuries (because not all of their brains are protected by thick skull - vaulted skulls are thin in some places). Young roosters tend to be more aggressive in mating and they usually target the least dominant hens first (cause they won't stand up to him).

I keep my Silkies in their own coop and run just for my own piece of mind. You will read that others keep them in mixed flocks without a problem.

 

[silkeysandra]

I have 4 silkies and I don't bother with them at all, except to maybe clip their topknots a smidge so they can see better! ha! I have a typical backyard with muddy area at the back and side, but grass/weeds everywhere else. They dig in the muddy/dirt areas and take dirt baths there and have a rousing good time. They have never stayed dirty. They come in at night and spend some time getting 'dressed' for dinner. By the time I come out to feed them (8ish) they are clean and beautiful once again--and this can be after they've played in the rain--and mud!
I would not just get one Silkie, as she will look so much different from your other hens (all of which have a friend that looks alot like them). If you get a silkie, get two or three. That way, when one is feeling she "Wants to be alone" she can do that, but the other two can gab and munch bugs along with the flock without feeling like an odd duck.
That's my best advice. I have really enjoyed my Silkies and would prefer them over other breeds just because they are so sweet and can't fly! Enjoy, but get more than one, for sure. See my girls in PHotos, choose Last Modified over to the right of albums, then look for The Girls in the Coop-Grand Prairie. There you will see my 4 Silkies and the two Belgian Mille Fleurs I enjoy every day.

 

[kerrysmommy]

i have 3 silkies planning on breediong but roosters attack and tried to kill her! i give her a bath constintly she is a dirt bath loving girl. he gets broody all the time and she does peck you u try to get the egs she is with 2 other hens (had a fox and get a lot) she loves them they r practily sister lol

 

[Zaxby's2]

Thanks!

I probably won't go with the silkies but am still considering. My problem with getting more than one hen is that between the two they would go broody too often.

Sigh, oh well, silkies probably aren't for me. We're getting some new chickens soon and I wanted to know what I would be getting into if I got silkies. If it's true that the cockerel will hurt her than I probably should just forget about it.

Thanks, though. I'm hoping to get a dominique or a jersey giant, we've had both before.

 

[FMAFarms]

We have 7 silkies with eight due to hatch in May. They are the sweetest, friendliest little chickens around, but yes, they are indeed high maintenance. Every morning I check their feet. They've been trained for this, so they know that as soon as I pick them up, they lay back and put their feet up for inspection... I don't have to do anything any more. They do this automatically for me! Usually there's just a couple of shavings stuck to the bottoms of their feet, but there's usually one that needs to have her feet washed. Warm running water from a faucet with baby shampoo, then dried in a warm towel or shammy (to absorb the moisture better) does the trick. If you want to keep their feathers from being snagged or tangled, you'll want to use a baby brush (the kind used for human babies) to gently keep their feathers neat. Periodic baths in warm water (with baby shampoo, then blow dry on a gentle heat) help keep the Silkies looking beautiful. If you have white Silkies, you want to add a drop of bluing to the bath water to make the white really stand out.

Other than that, you should be fine. For baby Silkies, you will want to check the tush under the vent, because their first few poos will most likely get caught up in their fluff and dry there (not pasty butt, but dried-on-poo butt). I hope this information helps!

 

[TinkleTurkey]

Mine don't get any special attention, but sometimes when it rains they look so funny with their puff all wet. But it doesn't rain here often, if you live somewhere they'd be exposed to cold and damp more often, then they would definently require extra consideration.

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

My poor silkies must be neglected, I never do anything diff for them than my others, they stay clean and live with other breeds, all bantams, but they think they are like everybody else and Ive never treated them any diff.....I Love silkies, they are So mellow, even my rooster