Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LynnaePB]

New Silkie pics. Can we put a watermark on our pics here? I’ve found my pics stolen on the net before and even used as someone else’s profile pic View attachment 2689604View attachment 2689607
View attachment 2689603
View attachment 2689608

Aww they are all so pretty!

Those pictures are lovely....too bad you've had some stolen in the past! I've heard of it happening to lots of others too. I'm not sure about any rules about watermarks in the thread but I wouldn't think they'd be a problem.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

New Silkie pics. Can we put a watermark on our pics here? I’ve found my pics stolen on the net before and even used as someone else’s profile pic View attachment 2689604View attachment 2689607
View attachment 2689603
View attachment 2689608

Your photos (and birds) are gorgeous!
You can check with admin if you are able to place a watermark. Sounds like a good idea.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

So, I just sold my white silkies, Jane and Zelda as a breeding pair, since they have proven fertility together. Needed to cut down on numbers and actually got a good price for them. The folks that bought them live here in town and were just immediately head over heels in love with the birds and were snuggling them all the way back to their car. Need to spread the silkie love!
I also just got Himawari's DNA test and she is a pullet. So I have two of Jane and Zelda's daughters. I now have 5 females and 2 males (Imari ended up staying with me for now, but I may still sell him).
No more chicks though until later in the year, when the boys are grown.
So much fun with the littles, but it is a lot of work. Will be good with a break.
The colors of silkies I have now are very random, so will be interesting to see the chicks that come out of these in the future.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

New Silkie pics. Can we put a watermark on our pics here? I’ve found my pics stolen on the net before and even used as someone else’s profile pic View attachment 2689604View attachment 2689607
View attachment 2689603
View attachment 2689608

Oh my goodness so gorgeous!!!
Beautiful pics! you do need some sort of protection from other sealing your pics for sure.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

You have problems with sparrow hawks (aka kestrels)? I though they weren't a problem for chickens! *Nervously scans sky*

Oh interesting, we have those here too. (Arizona)

 

[Chickeria]

She is doing much better today, thanks!
She objected to being picked up, which was more like her normal self!

That's great news!
I'm so glad to hear she is feeling so much better

 

[Chickeria]

Can you make an enclosed run for them?
Does not need to necessarily be full on hardware cloth, I know of many that use bird netting over the top to prevent overhead threats, will not deter weasels or other predators though.
You need to weigh your predator threat against expense and hassle building a safe environment for your birds.
I am slightly paranoid about predators, so I go all out. I also do not let them free range unless I am right there. I know many others who let their birds free range and do not have any problems. I find though, that silkies are quite defenseless and need a little more protection.

Yes I will definitely make an enclosed run (roofed). And they will only freerange in my parents' big garden when someone of us is with them
My friend who is just over the fields lost last year and this year roosters, cockerels, hens, pullets, chicks and goslings due to hawks, foxes, rats, perhaps the mouse weasel. (And his chickens are a lot bigger than my bantams). Unfortunately there are martens in the neighborhood. The owners of the chickens my mom and I visit every day lost one hen, poor dear Xenia, a big Sundheimer, to a hawk last summer. I found her, but was too late, it was so awful. Thankfully they do have a very safe coop (and now netting over the run).
I have witnessed rats attacking young black birds and young wild rabbits in my parents' garden. I have witnessed the Eurasian sparrowhawk take a blackbird in the flyby.
I have to admit I'm fully paranoid at this point.

 

[Chickeria]

New Silkie pics. Can we put a watermark on our pics here? I’ve found my pics stolen on the net before and even used as someone else’s profile pic View attachment 2689604View attachment 2689607
View attachment 2689603
View attachment 2689608

They are adorable! And the pictures are great - I'm sorry some of your pictures were stolen.

 

[Chickeria]

So, I just sold my white silkies, Jane and Zelda as a breeding pair, since they have proven fertility together. Needed to cut down on numbers and actually got a good price for them. The folks that bought them live here in town and were just immediately head over heels in love with the birds and were snuggling them all the way back to their car. Need to spread the silkie love!
I also just got Himawari's DNA test and she is a pullet. So I have two of Jane and Zelda's daughters. I now have 5 females and 2 males (Imari ended up staying with me for now, but I may still sell him).
No more chicks though until later in the year, when the boys are grown.
So much fun with the littles, but it is a lot of work. Will be good with a break.
The colors of silkies I have now are very random, so will be interesting to see the chicks that come out of these in the future.

That's nice Jane and Zelda are still in town and not so far away And it is great the new owners are so happy with them!
Awesome little Himawari is a girl and will stay!
Will Imari join one of the groups in the new setup soon?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

That's nice Jane and Zelda are still in town and not so far away And it is great the new owners are so happy with them!
Awesome little Himawari is a girl and will stay!
Will Imari join one of the groups in the new setup soon?

Thanks!
Imari is with the other youngsters. He has started to crow a little and chases Eko and Amai a bit, but I am afraid this may become worse as he becomes more mature. He may have to hang in the tractor if he gets out of hand.