Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LynnaePB]

Loving the pictures of everyone's silkies, they are just beautiful!

My three little ones all hatched and are doing great! I got a little paint and black from the paint eggs and another black from a black x black egg. The two black babies are non-vaulted so I'm guessing they are boys (so far from all the eggs I've hatched from different breeders all the non-vaulted were boys). The paint has a semi large vault so I'm guessing girl but I've had some boys with large vaults hatch so I'm a lot more iffy on that guess. It'll be fun to see if my guesses are right or wrong as they grow up.

I'm absolutely terrible at naming in a timely manner (most of my flock still do not have names). So I named these three right away (so much easier only coming up with three names). If I'm wrong about my gender guesses some of the names will sound extra silly when they grow up though.

From left to right Petunia, Pickles, and Benjamin

Out of the 20 silkie eggs I'm incubating from my flock I've got 18 that are clearly growing. The two that aren't growing look like they came from the same pullet so I guess she must not be getting mated with, or I could be judging prematurely. Those two eggs have the darkest shells and are only 3-4 days along. I should know for sure by day 7 or so.

 

[HuffleClaw]

She adopted the quail chicks today. 2 silkie babies and 4 Coturnix Quail Chicks..

Don’t worry, I know this comes with risks

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

She adopted the quail chicks today. 2 silkie babies and 4 Coturnix Quail Chicks..
View attachment 1966556 View attachment 1966557

Don’t worry, I know this comes with risks

I've raised Quail with Silkies with no issues, the quail have ended up friendlier and less flighty too.

Little Hugo as an example!

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Chickie Time!


Since you guys like chick pics, here's the current ones I have in the brooder!

The most recent ones that hatched, some have quite nice foot feathering:

The oldest chick in the brooder which I posted a few weeks back. I have an inkling it's a male but we will see:

One of the middle aged chicks in the brooder, looks very fluffy:

Three of the pet quality chicks which I'm selling off cheap...but no one wants the poor babies well somone did but they wanted them on Christmas Eve to put straight in a coop with no heat lamp for their child as a Christmas present...I won't let them go knowing they'll not survive. They're far to young to go without a lamp, even if they are kept indoors they still need a supplemental heat source, 'room temperature' isn't warm enough.
Two are middle aged chicks and one is from the newest hatch:

 

[LynnaePB]

Chickie Time!


Since you guys like chick pics, here's the current ones I have in the brooder!

The most recent ones that hatched, some have quite nice foot feathering:
View attachment 1966764
View attachment 1966765
View attachment 1966766
View attachment 1966767
View attachment 1966768
View attachment 1966769
View attachment 1966770
View attachment 1966771
View attachment 1966772
View attachment 1966773

The oldest chick in the brooder which I posted a few weeks back. I have an inkling it's a male but we will see:
View attachment 1966754
View attachment 1966755
View attachment 1966760

One of the middle aged chicks in the brooder, looks very fluffy:
View attachment 1966757
View attachment 1966759
View attachment 1966762
View attachment 1966763

Three of the pet quality chicks which I'm selling off cheap...but no one wants the poor babies well somone did but they wanted them on Christmas Eve to put straight in a coop with no heat lamp for their child as a Christmas present...I won't let them go knowing they'll not survive. They're far to young to go without a lamp, even if they are kept indoors they still need a supplemental heat source, 'room temperature' isn't warm enough.
Two are middle aged chicks and one is from the newest hatch:
View attachment 1966749
View attachment 1966751
View attachment 1966752​

Good luck finding a better home for your little pet quality babies, it's good you're looking out for them! My big batch of babies will be hatching a couple weeks before Christmas, I hope I don't get people interested in them who just want them as Christmas presents but don't want to put the work in to caring for them properly.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Good luck finding a better home for your little pet quality babies, it's good you're looking out for them! My big batch of babies will be hatching a couple weeks before Christmas, I hope I don't get people interested in them who just want them as Christmas presents but don't want to put the work in to caring for them properly.

I'm sure I will eventually find somone that wants them and knows how to look after them!

They're only pet quality due to the older two having an extra stub on their fifth toe and the youngest has a joint/fused fourth and fifth toe. They'll still be nice and fluffy when older.

They may be cute but they aren't just something you throw in a coop as a chick and expect them to be alright.

If you do come to sell/rehome any chicks you hatch, I'd suggest asking them a few questions to get at least a basic idea of what their knowledge is like. You can usually pick up on any 'warning signs' then.

 

[HuffleClaw]

I never sell baby poultry around holidays (mainly Christmas) for that very reason.

I’ve considered doing a Valentine’s Day Hatch this year... but, I don’t know. Im just worried they won’t be cared for properly. I could always hatch them in December so they’ll be fully started by February I guess?

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I never sell baby poultry around holidays (mainly Christmas) for that very reason.

I’ve considered doing a Valentine’s Day Hatch this year... but, I don’t know. Im just worried they won’t be cared for properly. I could always hatch them in December so they’ll be fully started by February I guess?

Yes unfortunately that is an issue with seasonal hatches such as Christmas and Easter etc.

People buy cute little chicks for their children for example and think they'll put them outside and they'll be alright.

When people get any chicks from me, even when I rehome them for free, I do my best to make sure the new owner has a basic understanding at the very least.

When they collect I show them my set up, give them some of my feed and give them helpful and important tips etc.

At this time of year, the only chicks I give away are the pet quality ones, the rest I keep myself as growouts and then sell on or rehome next year.

I know that everyone is a first time keeper at some point in their life and they have to start somewhere. I'm quite happy when they come to me and ask for information, help and advice. At least then it shows they truly want to have an understanding before they buy any birds.

It's the ones that ask to get birds and they haven't even took two minutes to read about basic chick care...that's a pain

At least if you do sell them next year once fully feathered, you know they'll be fully off heat and not reliant on someone else making that decision as to whether they'll give them heat or not.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Yes unfortunately that is an issue with seasonal hatches such as Christmas and Easter etc.

People buy cute little chicks for their children for example and think they'll put them outside and they'll be alright.

When people get any chicks from me, even when I rehome them for free, I do my best to make sure the new owner has a basic understanding at the very least.

When they collect I show them my set up, give them some of my feed and give them helpful and important tips etc.

At this time of year, the only chicks I give away are the pet quality ones, the rest I keep myself as growouts and then sell on or rehome next year.

I know that everyone is a first time keeper at some point in their life and they have to start somewhere. I'm quite happy when they come to me and ask for information, help and advice. At least then it shows they truly want to have an understanding before they buy any birds.

It's the ones that ask to get birds and they haven't even took two minutes to ready about basic chick care...that's a pain

At least if you do sell them next year once fully feathered, you know they'll be fully off heat and not reliant on someone else making that decision as to whether they'll give them heat or not.

I really have thought about making chick care pamphlets and giving them to the buyers of my chicks. Of course, it might not do very much but maybe it would at least help some. Idk.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I really have thought about making chick care pamphlets and giving them to the buyers of my chicks. Of course, it might not do very much but maybe it would at least help some. Idk.

Don't worry, I've also thought of that, or even just print out an already existing one!

I guess it's better than nothing and you could feel a bit better knowing you've given them information, as for if they follow it is their decision.

Ultimately if I believe someone literally hasn't got a clue at all, I wouldn't let them take them. I'd tell them to research and then if still interested, to come back.