Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[kurby22]

First two babies in the dryer. Black one is a Polkie and the yellow one is a Silkie.
Third one has hatched is also a paint silkie and is still in the incubator.View attachment 2867065

Look at the cute floofy balls!! How can you tell the difference between the silkies and polkies? Just curious!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Look at the cute floofy balls!! How can you tell the difference between the silkies and polkies? Just curious!

Good question!
So far I see them when they hatch and know which eggs they came out of. I have the eggs marked with different colors and notations.
I band the chicks when I put them over into the dryer. I have some plastic separators that are coming in the mail today, hopefully that makes it even easier!

 

[kurby22]

Good question!
So far I see them when they hatch and know which eggs they came out of. I have the eggs marked with different colors and notations.
I band the chicks when I put them over into the dryer. I have some plastic separators that are coming in the mail today, hopefully that makes it even easier!

Ahhh that makes sense! I forget people are smart and organized like that I was going to do that with my last quail hatch, but I was so excited I put them all in and mixed them up and was like “DOH!” So to this day, I have no idea which quail are mine and which were shipped from Kansas

 

[Martaals]

First little paint silkie baby has hatched! The dominant white coloring really shows! The remaining 12 eggs have all externally pipped, so I expect to see them by the end of the day.
I’ll update with cute fluffnugget photos later.
Have a great Friday everyone!View attachment 2866553View attachment 2866554View attachment 2866552

Ohhh, what a heartbreaker

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Crossbeak??
What do I do??

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

More pics of the crossbeak chick..

 

[LadiesAndJane]

More pics of the crossbeak chick..
View attachment 2867335
View attachment 2867338

I have only had one cross beaked chick, that ufortunately died at 3 days of age.
I am aware though of several members on BYC that have successfully raised cross beaked chicks to adulthood. This article may help to start with. You may want to post under the raising chicks forum as well for more feedback.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...kens-including-tube-feeding-techniques.64321/

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

I have only had one cross beaked chick, that ufortunately died at 3 days of age.
I am aware though of several members on BYC that have successfully raised cross beaked chicks to adulthood. This article may help to start with. You may want to post under the raising chicks forum as well for more feedback.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...kens-including-tube-feeding-techniques.64321/

Thanks!
Do you know if it's genetic? - should I not use it for breeding?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Thanks!
Do you know if it's genetic? - should I not use it for breeding?

I think it is genetic but I think it also can be something to do with conditions during incubation. I’m not 100% sure. I believe it’s not recommended to use these for breeding. Might consider sell this one as a pet.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

The one I had, hatched from eggs I got from another breeder, it was not a silkie. I let them know about the cross beak issue. Not sure what they did with that information.