Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[Ponypoor]

Have to do what is best for them sometimes

It was very sad, but she was starting to get sores on her hocks. When she passed we were able to get a better look at her legs without her struggling - they were very obviously deformed and twisted, the vet felt it was a defect from hatch. I also feel that was so.

It was sad because I hadn’t had any issues with any other chicks I had hatched in the few years I have had them. Makes me wonder if it is a silkie thing to have this sort of thing. My ‘mutt’ chicks are hardy little beasts. But the silkies seem very fragile, even the wee old English bantams I bought are tough wee things (gosh they are soooo tiny!).

 

[chickengr]

Silkies are often picked on because they can't see their attackers.

They absolutely must be kept in from the rain because the will stand out in it and get soak. They learn to wet their crests so they can see better. Hence the standing in the rain. They will dunk their heads in water for the same reason.

Silkies, at least the ones in the US, do best on 20% protien. It effects their feathers and fluffiness. Of course hatchery bred silkies aren't as fluffy as ones from good breeding.

They will go broody. Sometimes frequently. I had one raise 5 batches of chicks one year. Stubborn about it too. They will try and hatch anything. I've had pullets go broody without ever even laying first.

They tend to mature late. 9 months is about average for mine. You can shorten that by hatching them in the autumn. Lengthening days in spring can get them closer to 6 months. Early spring chicks may take almost a year.

Can't really evaluate them until at least 9 months old. Can only cull out obvious disqualifications and flaws like wrong toes or split wing early. No body conformation.

I feed mine 15-16% protein. that's feed we have here. mine are super crazy and love to get wet when it rains. luckily we don't get much rain.

 

[Hinotori]

Well out of 5 eggs, one was a no start. One died at day 14 or so it looks. Hens fighting over eggs and chicks killed one. One followed a non-broody out of the house and only its yelling saved it because I had to lay down to grab it from underneath. Last eggs looks like it will hatch tomorrow. It's in the bator with the chick now.

I'll pull the hen I want out of the coop and give her the chicks after it hatches

 

[Hinotori]

Well I'm disappointed with my male rooster I kept in the one pen. He's a recessive white carrier. I've tried to eliminate it over the years but one pops every now and then.

No blame on the hen the egg is from. She's white so I knew the chick would be a carrier. It hatched white.

 

[Hinotori]

 

[Hinotori]

Tried 9 different broodies and only one wanted to take them right away. Still had 5 more I could have tried. Normally it's fine if I put them under in the morning. It's afternoon.

Worst came to worst, I'd have set up the brooder plate and a box for them inside.

This hen is about 3 years old now. She has always liked to follow me around. I don't want to breed her again as I only get black chicks from her, which shouldn't be possible since she's from a birchen and partridge cross. We'll see what type of chicks her son (partridge father) throws. He's way too black for a partridge, but if he actually gives partridge chicks it should darken up the cockerels. All of her children look full silkie. No working on their combs, beards, crests, or body shape.

 

[Hinotori]

The other baby is hiding. Mama was happy for some grass time.

 

[Debbie292d]

I have a couple of questions.

This year I have purchased several dozen hatching eggs to get different silkie variations. I have tried to avoid any showgirls (naked necks), but I did wind up with 3 out of several breeders. One I've already sold. A paint girl I decided to keep. Then there's this little guy. He is just turning 4 months old.

Someone posted in our state silkie group looking for showgirls, hen or roo.

I want to sell this one but would you say he is a cream or mauve cuckoo?

Also, I hatch and sell my own silkie chicks $10 each or 6 for $50. Would I be out of line to ask say $25 for him?

Thank you!



In this one, the sun makes him look silver/white, but he is clearly a beige color.

 

[chickengr]

I have a couple of questions.

This year I have purchased several dozen hatching eggs to get different silkie variations. I have tried to avoid any showgirls (naked necks), but I did wind up with 3 out of several breeders. One I've already sold. A paint girl I decided to keep. Then there's this little guy. He is just turning 4 months old.

Someone posted in our state silkie group looking for showgirls, hen or roo.

I want to sell this one but would you say he is a cream or mauve cuckoo?

Also, I hatch and sell my own silkie chicks $10 each or 6 for $50. Would I be out of line to ask say $25 for him?

Thank you!

View attachment 3870420View attachment 3870421View attachment 3870422

In this one, the sun makes him look silver/white, but he is clearly a beige color.
View attachment 3870419

not sure about colour but price is ok. he is a rare breed.

 

[Debbie292d]

not sure about colour but price is ok. he is a rare breed.

Thank you! I didn't realize that.

I don't want to raise them as neither my hubby nor I particularly like them, although this one, out of its 6 siblings, still follows me all over.

One sibling is a NN paint, and she's cute plus my only paint, so we will keep her, but don't want to keep any males. I just can't get into those NN for some reason!