Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LadiesAndJane]

So I had to share with the Silkie lovers…I had the opportunity to acquire a couple of older pullets from a local breeder and I took it…it’s so hard to find for sure pullet silkies. I’ve only had them a couple of days and they’re a bit freaked out, but I know it’s tougher when they’re a bit older. They’ll be in quarantine for awhile in my dining room, and I’m being extra careful since my flock is just getting over fowl pox. Sia got to spend some time out front this morning and she perked up a lot. They’re both so sweet I hope they get along well with Betty and Fuzzy!

Meet Sia -

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And Cher -

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They are gorgeous! Great find!
They look like they could use a little trim around the eyes. Maybe will help them feel better in new surroundings if they could see better.
I find integrating new Silkies easier overall than standard birds.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Speaking of integrating...so the babies will be 9 weeks old Monday and integration is getting better. Mango had to be isolated cause he was pouncing on Grayson unmercifully like he was trying to kill him between his claws and his beak!
Yesterday I couldn't get him so I monitored them off and on all day and seemed like everything went well - NO BLOOD!
With more winter weather headed our way I got sidetracked last night and remembered the babies were in the run with the big ones at 6 when I was in Walmart checkout!
I got home and found chickens asleep everywhere like little statues...I felt like such a horrible chicken mom!
I gotta get them integrated asap!
How do yall know when it is ok to put them in the same coop without worrying they will hurt em?
I do have Mango up to be re-homed I just cant keep risking his unpredictable nature with humans and the babies!

 

[kurby22]

They are gorgeous! Great find!
They look like they could use a little trim around the eyes. Maybe will help them feel better in new surroundings if they could see better.
I find integrating new Silkies easier overall than standard birds.

Yeah, I will do that soon! I wanted to wait till they were a bit less stressed out. Sia is very shy and acts a bit sad! Maybe the trim will help some, she’s so very sweet!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Speaking of integrating...so the babies will be 9 weeks old Monday and integration is getting better. Mango had to be isolated cause he was pouncing on Grayson unmercifully like he was trying to kill him between his claws and his beak!
Yesterday I couldn't get him so I monitored them off and on all day and seemed like everything went well - NO BLOOD!
With more winter weather headed our way I got sidetracked last night and remembered the babies were in the run with the big ones at 6 when I was in Walmart checkout!
I got home and found chickens asleep everywhere like little statues...I felt like such a horrible chicken mom!
I gotta get them integrated asap!
How do yall know when it is ok to put them in the same coop without worrying they will hurt em?
I do have Mango up to be re-homed I just cant keep risking his unpredictable nature with humans and the babies!

With my d'uccles (smaller than silkies):

1. Enclosure in the coop for a week to get them used to the cold. The other chickens could see them
2. Then an outside pen so the other chickens can interact more. They got placed into the coop enclosure at night (separated)
3. I did this for 2-4 weeks (depends on personality of your flock)
4. I released them and stayed there for 5-10mins to watch. They were alright.
5. I removed all the separation pens.
6. When you put them in at night, close the door and sit by the coop and listen for a few minutes to make sure everyone's comfortable

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Speaking of integrating...so the babies will be 9 weeks old Monday and integration is getting better. Mango had to be isolated cause he was pouncing on Grayson unmercifully like he was trying to kill him between his claws and his beak!
Yesterday I couldn't get him so I monitored them off and on all day and seemed like everything went well - NO BLOOD!
With more winter weather headed our way I got sidetracked last night and remembered the babies were in the run with the big ones at 6 when I was in Walmart checkout!
I got home and found chickens asleep everywhere like little statues...I felt like such a horrible chicken mom!
I gotta get them integrated asap!
How do yall know when it is ok to put them in the same coop without worrying they will hurt em?
I do have Mango up to be re-homed I just cant keep risking his unpredictable nature with humans and the babies!

Great advice from @PippinTheChicken
If you are planning to rehome Mango, you might want to wait or keep Mango separate.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Great advice from @PippinTheChicken
If you are planning to rehome Mango, you might want to wait or keep Mango separate.

It's hard rehoming a rooster and I'm not even askin for $

 

[ZoomiesMom72]

First and foremost - ABSOLUTELY NO HATING ON SILKIES ALLOWED!!! If you aren’t here to support our fuzzy friends, don’t respond.

Silkies get a bad rap for the following:
"Looks like a dust mop"
"Too hard to maintain"
"Poor immune system"
"Dumber than rocks"
"0 predator awareness"
And oh, so much more.

Well my friends - I thought so too, until I actually got silkies for myself. These are some of the most wonderful birds out there.

I’ve found them to be highly heat tolerant, wonderful mothers, having the strongest immune systems in my Bantam flock, GREAT LAYERS (that’s right folks), adorable as all get out, and more.

I currently have 9 silkies - and my rooster has been nothing but a gentleman to his ladies. They free range daily and I’ve not had a silkie get killed by a predator yet. My hens average 5 eggs a week - not too bad for a silkie, eh?


Most of the time, these silkie haters haven’t even owned the breed, but rather pretend they know everything.


So... let the fun begin! Support our silkies!

Pictures always welcome.

Be mindful, and respect others...

Off-topic discussions are allowed, though try to maintain the subject of silkies.

-Kayla-

My silkies are very intelligent.I actually think my other breeds need to pick up their manners. My silkie roo Zoomie is really protective,social & makes his ladies nest if they need help.Hes My best nuggie.

 

[ZoomiesMom72]

One of my favorite pullets...
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Gorgeous

 

[LadiesAndJane]

It's hard rehoming a rooster and I'm not even askin for $

I personally would not give him away. Even a nominal price of $5-10 is worth the wait. Free stuff brings out all the crazies and in my experience people do not appreciate anything they get for free.
It may sound nuts, but I find better homes for my birds in general when I ask more for them.
Yes, it is hard to rehome a rooster, but if you place an ad with really great photos it may help.
It took me two months to rehome one of my grow out cockerels. He did not have a correct comb and had some other faults, but he finally went to a good home and I get updates once in awhile on how he is doing.
Hang in there if you can.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I personally would not give him away. Even a nominal price of $5-10 is worth the wait. Free stuff brings out all the crazies and in my experience people do not appreciate anything they get for free.
It may sound nuts, but I find better homes for my birds in general when I ask more for them.
Yes, it is hard to rehome a rooster, but if you place an ad with really great photos it may help.
It took me two months to rehome one of my grow out cockerels. He did not have a correct comb and had some other faults, but he finally went to a good home and I get updates once in awhile on how he is doing.
Hang in there if you can.

If someones giving away a rooster I think that they are desperate to give it away, and therefore I think it's aggressive. If they sell it, I think that it's a good roo