Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LynnaePB]

One of my silkie pullets laid her first egg yesterday, any tips for figuring out who was laying? I know with pink skinned breeds their combs often get more red around laying but with the dark silkie skin I can't tell with my girls. Going off behavior I've got two girls around the same age who are getting more vocal and searching around so I'm guessing one of them. I've got a couple girls that have/had health issues so I want to make sure not to use their eggs for hatching when they start laying. When we can I'm hoping to build a separate pen for the girls I don't want to breed.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

One of my silkie pullets laid her first egg yesterday, any tips for figuring out who was laying? I know with pink skinned breeds their combs often get more red around laying but with the dark silkie skin I can't tell with my girls. Going off behavior I've got two girls around the same age who are getting more vocal and searching around so I'm guessing one of them. I've got a couple girls that have/had health issues so I want to make sure not to use their eggs for hatching when they start laying. When we can I'm hoping to build a separate pen for the girls I don't want to breed.

Checking the pubic bone spacing is usually my go to method when checking which ones have just started laying

Just below the vent you'll feel two pointy bones. Check the space between the two bones with your fingers.

I tend to find with mine, 2 fingers spacing or less, they aren't laying. Anything more they usually are.

Compare a few of your POL birds and the one with the biggest spacing is most likely the one that gave you the first egg!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Another one from the web!

Still cute.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Hi guys sorry I haven’t been on. My last few days have been hectic. Also Veera died she was Just found dead

 

[MysteryChicken]

Checking the pubic bone spacing is usually my go to method when checking which ones have just started laying

Just above the vent you'll feel two pointy bones. Check the space between the two bones with your fingers.

I tend to find with mine, 2 fingers spacing or less, they aren't laying. Anything more they usually are.

Compare a few of your POL birds and the one with the biggest spacing is most likely the one that gave you the first egg!

The pubic bones are below the vent, I use this method also.

 

[john_wrightson2003]

Hi guys sorry I haven’t been on. My last few days have been hectic. Also Veera died she was Just found dead

Aweee, whos Veera?

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Aweee, whos Veera?

THe little Wyandotte mix

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

The pubic bones are below the vent, I use this method also.

That's true they are

I hold my bird down upside down to check so they're at the top when I'm checking. I never thought of that!

 

[john_wrightson2003]

THe little Wyandotte mix
View attachment 1938274

O my goodness, im so sorry. I lost a wyandotte to old age tdy too.

 

[LynnaePB]

Checking the pubic bone spacing is usually my go to method when checking which ones have just started laying

Just below the vent you'll feel two pointy bones. Check the space between the two bones with your fingers.

I tend to find with mine, 2 fingers spacing or less, they aren't laying. Anything more they usually are.

Compare a few of your POL birds and the one with the biggest spacing is most likely the one that gave you the first egg!

The pubic bones are below the vent, I use this method also.

Thank you both so much for the advice, it sounds extremely helpful! I will definitely try this method out tomorrow.

THe little Wyandotte mix
View attachment 1938274

Aww I'm so sorry to hear you lost her, she was a beautiful little chicken.