Silkies question

[ShellyBlanco]

Silkies make excellent pets. They do not handle cold as well as other breeds because their feathers are not as insulating and prone to getting wet. They are friendly. They lay poorly compared to large breeds and will give 3-4 small eggs a week when not broody.
They range fine in a safe, low predator area like an urban yard but will quickly become prey in high predator areas due to their crests and color.

About how old are Silkie pullets before they start laying? I have a White Bearded Pullet (Juliet) that is about 27 weeks old, no eggs yet. I am not really counting on any from her, but wondering. She is tiny and needs lots of extra attention due to her size. Our main flock is RIRs and the 8 month old RIR cockerel is after her since just a few days ago. Her mate (same breed/age - Romeo) protects her from him when he is not busy after the RIR pullets himself. We sleep her segregated in a cage within the coop so she don't get picked on at night and let her range if weather permitting in the day.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Silky are not in hurry to lay 30 to 32 weeks is common also about then she may go broody stealing eggs to hatch

 

[ShellyBlanco]

Silky are not in hurry to lay 30 to 32 weeks is common also about then she may go broody stealing eggs to hatch

Thanks for the feedback. I just didn't know what to expect from her and I've searched through posts here and hadn't found anything about time frame for laying, lots of threads about broodiness though. I'll probably give her a shot at raising from day olds first next spring.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Thanks for the feedback. I just didn't know what to expect from her and I've searched through posts here and hadn't found anything about time frame for laying, lots of threads about broodiness though. I'll probably give her a shot at raising from day olds first next spring.

Get a wire dog crate start shopping goodwill as you may have her go broody long before your ready

 

[ShellyBlanco]

Get a wire dog crate start shopping goodwill as you may have her go broody long before your ready

We already put her in a crate for sleeping at night, everyone picks on her if we don't.

 

[pennyJo1960]

We already put her in a crate for sleeping at night, everyone picks on her if we don't.

hang her in it so the air can reach her may take a few days depending on the bird
a few use cold water bath to me wouldn't want to do that