Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Yall Gracie n Jackie Chan from Hawaii slept with the  Big babies last night on their porch!!!
Luvin this chicken Cam!
I sure hope Joey didn't poop on lil Gracie!
And I couldn't find Jackie Chan...so I kept watching til I saw him - guess where that lil dude was!!? He was between Josie and Zoe and flapped his wings and flew down once Gracie got down!
Ladies man...he thinks! Lol

 

[LadiesAndJane]

sleepy was stunted when she was a chick. But sleepys Brother is already crowing and they are the same age. The breeder who I got them from told me that there are two bones next to the vent that grow apart with Hens but with roosters your can only fit one finger between I was wondering if any would know if this is true. I love your silkies they are soo floofy.
here is a diagram that he sent me:View attachment 3070812
sleepys seemed very close together

Pretty sure this diagram is to help determine if a pullet is getting close to laying age. I do not think it can be used to sex younger birds. Could be Sleepy is just not quite ready to lay.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I've not heard of this...but I'm still new to the wonderful world of feathers too!

Guess what my DH got me yall!!??!!

Great gift!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Hmm.. im not familiar with that comb type, but remember Betty had a very pink comb, and you assured me she was just a pink comb girl, and you were right! I think she looks pretty girly. Minnie had a pretty pink comb early too. Voting girl

Thanks!

 

[Buckingham Palace]

Pretty sure this diagram is to help determine if a pullet is getting close to laying age. I do not think it can be used to sex younger birds. Could be Sleepy is just not quite ready to lay.

thanks.

 

[LynnaePB]

Let me know when they hatch out. I'm not actively looking at the moment, but I am always ready to purchase.

I'd be happy to.

It'll probably be a month or so before the first group hatches but I will definitely send a message when they hatch.

sleepy was stunted when she was a chick. But sleepys Brother is already crowing and they are the same age. The breeder who I got them from told me that there are two bones next to the vent that grow apart with Hens but with roosters your can only fit one finger between I was wondering if any would know if this is true. I love your silkies they are soo floofy.
here is a diagram that he sent me:View attachment 3070812
sleepys seemed very close together

I use this method to see if my pullets are close to laying sometimes. It seems like they start spreading a couple weeks before the girls start laying. Not much help in regards to sexing with girls that aren't as close to laying unfortunately.

Yall Gracie n Jackie Chan from Hawaii slept with the  Big babies last night on their porch!!!
Luvin this chicken Cam!
I sure hope Joey didn't poop on lil Gracie!
And I couldn't find Jackie Chan...so I kept watching til I saw him - guess where that lil dude was!!? He was between Josie and Zoe and flapped his wings and flew down once Gracie got down!
Ladies man...he thinks! Lol

Aww they sound so cute together! I loved having a camera like that back at our old place, it was fun seeing what they got up to while I wasn't around.

 

[drmolarmagic]

Hello Silkie Friends! Need a little advice, my Buff Silkie HenSolo started having trouble walking and started to loose her balance and now walks and falls over, I was told maybe its nutritional so she's on chick feed for the last 2 weeks and no change. Some say its Marek's but I'm really hoping not, any other ideas? or advice?

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Yall Gracie n Jackie Chan from Hawaii slept with the  Big babies last night on their porch!!!
Luvin this chicken Cam!
I sure hope Joey didn't poop on lil Gracie!
And I couldn't find Jackie Chan...so I kept watching til I saw him - guess where that lil dude was!!? He was between Josie and Zoe and flapped his wings and flew down once Gracie got down!
Ladies man...he thinks! Lol

That camera is awesome! I'm looking forward to my bday, I've put the word in that's what I want! Still many months away though .. Would be hard to not watch chicken tv all the time Checking on them and watching behavior would be so much fun!

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Hello Silkie Friends! Need a little advice, my Buff Silkie HenSolo started having trouble walking and started to loose her balance and now walks and falls over, I was told maybe its nutritional so she's on chick feed for the last 2 weeks and no change. Some say its Marek's but I'm really hoping not, any other ideas? or advice?

Oww poor girl Doesn't sound good unfortunately.
Have you posted in Emergencies/Diseases?
@LadiesAndJane and @LynnaePB have a good formula for vitamin deficiencies, others have great advice too here.. have you tried Poultry Vitamins too? I have ones that mix in the water. Is she isolated and warm? Also if she's laying she'll need access to oyster shell/ calcium since your feeding her Chicks Starter it doesn't have the necessary calcium for layer hens.
Goodluck!

 

[LynnaePB]

Hello Silkie Friends! Need a little advice, my Buff Silkie HenSolo started having trouble walking and started to loose her balance and now walks and falls over, I was told maybe its nutritional so she's on chick feed for the last 2 weeks and no change. Some say its Marek's but I'm really hoping not, any other ideas? or advice?

I'd try treating for a vitamin deficiency as they are common in silkies and can mimic the look of Mareks.

If they get coccidiosis that can cause lethargy and poor balance but if she is perky I'd try the vitamin treatment first.

It's usually either vitamin E deficiencies or Vitamin b1 (thiamine) deficiencies that silkies seem prone to. I like getting poultry cell (a poultry vitamin), some selenium vitamin e gel for goats, and some human B complex pills to treat vitamin deficiencies. Sometimes I'll add human vitamin e as well but it is very sticky once taken out of the capsule so a little tricky to work with.

I give 1/2 a crushed B complex pill once a day

1/2 cc or so of the poultry cell 1-2 times a day

a pea sized drop of the selenium vitamin e gel 2-3 times a day

and if I add extra vitamin E in I usually give a pills worth twice a day.

I usually mix the different parts together and then give via syringe. Things like sunflower seeds that are naturally high in selenium and vitamin E can be good as well.

It can take a while for them to come out of it. I'd give the vitamins until shortly after symptoms improve or up to 2 weeks before giving a little break so as not to give too much. There is a possibility she may have head trauma (the vaulted silkies are especially vulnerable) that affects coordination etc too. In this case she may just need time but will hopefully return to normal or close to normal.

Good luck, I hope your girl pulls out of for you!