Silkies info

[Susanwhitten28]

Im going to buy 5 silkies hens today what can you guys tell me about them I’ve read up on them but I just wanna know what everyone experiences are with this breed. Cold tolerance temperament how they get along with other breeds how they get along with humans etc I’m sort of a newbie when it comes to chickens as I started in May with 14. But know common knowledge as I had them when I was younger

 

[PioneerChicks]

Silkies are a great breed! Glad you're getting into them!

A few notes, they go broody a lot!
In my experience, they are fine with cold. If anything, they suffer from heat.
Their feathers are not waterproof, so it is nice to have them in a covered run on rainy days.
They are actually not bad layers, like everybody says they are!

Have a great day!

 

[Offshoreorca]

We have a little silkie hen in amongst a flock of Cochins, BCMs, Wheaten Ameraucanas, and Salmon Faverolles and they all get along great! Ours (after being broody on and off frequently over the summer) is now laying almost an egg a day during this period when all the other chickens are molting, so she's worth her keep! She's also the best broody we have.

Be weary that more dominant and aggressive breeds of chickens, like some of the layers, can bully and kill silkies - I've known people that this has happened to. I also think hatchery stock silkies are better survivors than show line silkies - never had a problem with mine even though I know other people that haven't had luck in mixed breed flocks. She holds her own

 

[MysteryChicken]

My silkies do good in both cold, & hot weather.

Mine are excellent layers, & broodies.

My silkies stay relatively clean, they clean themselves up pretty quickly if they get muddy.

They see really well depending on their crest size. Some will need a trim around the eyes.

The 4th, & 5th toe nails sometimes need a clipping.

The personality of the roosters varies like any other chicken breed.

 

[HappyDuckie]

A few people have already given you some great info. I just wanted to ask, could you get pics of the birds you are getting? If they are out of the ones in the picture above, quite a few of those are male.

 

[Susanwhitten28]

A few people have already given you some great info. I just wanted to ask, could you get pics of the birds you are getting? If they are out of the ones in the picture above, quite a few of those are male.

Yes that was just the photo she had on hand I won’t be taking any of the roosters .. I was wondering if I don’t have a rooster do hens still go broody (May be a stupid question I just don’t know)

 

[HappyDuckie]

The hens will still go broody, but their eggs won't be fertile unless you have a rooster.

 

[Susanwhitten28]

My silkies do good in both cold, & hot weather.

Mine are excellent layers, & broodies.

My silkies stay relatively clean, they clean themselves up pretty quickly if they get muddy.

They see really well depending on their crest size. Some will need a trim around the eyes.

The 4th, & 5th toe nails something need a clipping.

The personality of the roosters varies like any other chicken breed.

Tha

 

[Susanwhitten28]

Okay thanks so much for the good information

 

[MysteryChicken]

Okay thanks so much for the good information