Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LavenderDaFlerf]

Is there anything i should know nutrition wise about silkies? Do they need anything different from other breeds?

 

[AngBantamLuv]

I don't know, I might it depends on what my parents say. Should I get blue instead of mystery silkies? had been saving for a long time so I had enough money to snake proof the coop and run, and buy chicks. And they said yes to me having my own flock!

Offspring from blue and splash chickens give you blue and splash babies they're a recessive gene, very pretty! @LadiesAndJane explains it best!

Congrats on your successful planning!

Btw, yes, you want the snakes out of the coop, but rat snakes will keep other vermin away. Excited for you!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I don't know, I might it depends on what my parents say. Should I get blue instead of mystery silkies? had been saving for a long time so I had enough money to snake proof the coop and run, and buy chicks. And they said yes to me having my own flock!

Well, Silkies are sold “straight run” so there is a 50/50 chance of getting a male or female. Nice to plan just in case.
Congratulations on getting your own flock.
My teenage daughter helps me with the chickens and I believe it is a good experience for young people to raise them.
What color options are in the “mystery” mix? Could be fun to be surprised, but then you may end up with a color you don’t really want.
Tough choice you need to make.

 

[AngBantamLuv]

Is there anything i should know nutrition wise about silkies? Do they need anything different from other breeds?

When i get baby chicks (i get bantams, also have had silkie chicks - have a couple right now) in addition to chick crumble feed, i get save-a-chick brand vitamins and probiotics and give that t them mixed in their water for a few days. Never had any issues. I skipped that this time and i got one that had some balance issues. After i added the vitamins, things got better after a while.. but.. had i started from day 1, it might have been preventable.

I assume youll have a warm spot for them and some source of heat?

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

Well, Silkies are sold “straight run” so there is a 50/50 chance of getting a male or female. Nice to plan just in case.
Congratulations on getting your own flock.
My teenage daughter helps me with the chickens and I believe it is a good experience for young people to raise them.
What color options are in the “mystery” mix? Could be fun to be surprised, but then you may end up with a color you don’t really want.
Tough choice you need to make.

I plan on definitely keeping on rooster. In the mystery mix there is blue, buff, black, splash and white. I love ALL the colors.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Is there anything i should know nutrition wise about silkies? Do they need anything different from other breeds?

I feed mine a medicated chick starter crumble for the first three months, then transition to an “All Flock” or “Flock Raiser” crumble. I prefer this over layer feed as it has a higher protein content. (20% instead of 16%).
Add some oyster shell on the side when they start laying. Like all chickens keep treats to a minimum and not until at least 8 weeks of age. I give my older chicks plain scrambled eggs as a treat and they love it.
Offer chick grit from 2 weeks of age, sprinkle some on their food and then after awhile offer it in the side.
If they are out on grass before 2 weeks of age, offer it sooner.

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

When i get baby chicks (i get bantams, also have had silkie chicks - have a couple right now) in addition to chick crumble feed, i get save-a-chick brand vitamins and probiotics and give that t them mixed in their water for a few days. Never had any issues. I skipped that this time and i got one that had some balance issues. After i added the vitamins, things got better after a while.. but.. had i started from day 1, it might have been preventable.

I assume youll have a warm spot for them and some source of heat?

A warm spot when they're grown u p or chicks? I'll get some of the save a chick stuff.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Agree with the vitamins, especially if they are coming from a hatchery. I use Poultry Nutradrench, similar stuff. I also offer it to my newly hatched chicks for the first 24 hours.

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

This?

 

[AngBantamLuv]

A warm spot when they're grown u p or chicks? I'll get some of the save a chick stuff.

As chicks they need to stay very warm. Typically people keep them indoors with a chick heater plate or a heat lamp. Once they are fully feathered (after 6 weeks) they can go outside in a proper coop. But for me.. if its cold, i just keep them inside until its warmer outside (while they are chicks).