Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[Fluffy Lambs]

What season is it? Light molt?

Spring. It's warm outside. No they're not molting

Most of mine have been fairly consistent, lay 12 eggs then go broody then molt then start up laying again after raising the chicks for a couple months.
Not much you can do if they are healthy, well fed, calcium available - could try vitamins in water for extra boost? Double check for mites/worms etc.
Any stress? Bullying? Plenty of roost space and nest box availability? No hidden nests in the bush?

No mites but I probably need to worm them again. I haven't seen them bullying at all. Yep they have a big pen and a few different places to nest and sleep. They don't have hidden nests though, there isn't really a spot they could put them that I wouldn't find them in. Thanks for trying to help guys btw!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Lilikoi and Niko are big girls now!
They both weigh about a pound and a half right now. Don’t think they’ll get much bigger but they will fill out more. Close to 4 months and working on integrating them into the flock. First day out “free ranging” with the others. None of the others pestered them at all, but they did keep to themselves and hung out under the orange tree.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

How do I do that? I’m kinda new in the forum

It’ll be posted when they start accepting photos. Usually it’s just after the Summer.
It’ll be either under the announcement section or the contest section. Not sure which.

 

[LynnaePB]

Hi y'all! I haven't been on this thread in awhile. Love seeing all the chicks hatching this spring! I have a question for you silkie experts..


My hens just turned a year old. But they're not really laying any eggs. I think the only one laying is the younger pullet I have but even she isn't laying that much. Someone was interested in purchasing 2 dozen eggs from me, but I'm worried I won't be able to sell her the full amount of they don't start laying soon. They were laying a few months ago but seemed to have stopped now. Is this normal and is there anything I can do to get them to lay?

Thanks in advance for answers!

My girls have been so inconsistent this winter/spring. We had some big swings in temperature and it seemed like they kept going through mini molts back to back and despite not being broody I wasn't getting many eggs from a lot of them. Once temperatures stabilized I got more eggs again until a bunch decided to go broody.

It sounds like you are dealing with something different but I think silkies are sometimes just funny with their laying habits. I hope your girls start up again soon for you so you can get enough eggs together.

Lilikoi and Niko are big girls now!
They both weigh about a pound and a half right now. Don’t think they’ll get much bigger but they will fill out more. Close to 4 months and working on integrating them into the flock. First day out “free ranging” with the others. None of the others pestered them at all, but they did keep to themselves and hung out under the orange tree.View attachment 3058223View attachment 3058224View attachment 3058227View attachment 3058226

They are gorgeous girls! They really look so nice already, it'll be great seeing how they fill in during the next few months too!

 

[chickengr]

Hi y'all! I haven't been on this thread in awhile. Love seeing all the chicks hatching this spring! I have a question for you silkie experts..


My hens just turned a year old. But they're not really laying any eggs. I think the only one laying is the younger pullet I have but even she isn't laying that much. Someone was interested in purchasing 2 dozen eggs from me, but I'm worried I won't be able to sell her the full amount of they don't start laying soon. They were laying a few months ago but seemed to have stopped now. Is this normal and is there anything I can do to get them to lay?

Thanks in advance for answers!

not an expert but I have similar problem. I am going to try feed meant for 16 week old hybrid layers - those that should start laying soon. maybe that helps. do you feed them layers feed?

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

not an expert but I have similar problem. I am going to try feed meant for 16 week old hybrid layers - those that should start laying soon. maybe that helps. do you feed them layers feed?

I feed them flock raiser with oyster shell mixed in and they free range most of the time.

 

[chickengr]

I feed them flock raiser with oyster shell mixed in and they free range most of the time.

sounds good. be patient and they will start laying.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

I am so happy! I did miraculously get a silkie egg like a week ago so I put it in my incubator when I knew I wasn't going to be able to ship them to the one lady. It has a air cell and little embryo in it!

 

[felys]

I have two silkie eggs in the incubator at the moment. They are exotic chickens here where I live so I'm hoping they'll hatch out well. Two out of the 4 eggs I bought were not fertilized. Sadly the seller told me "too bad".

Lockdown is at the end of this week! Easter weekend. Looking forward to it so much.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

First time for the 3 nuggets to be out on the grass!
Four weeks old today.
Hotaru’s comb is pinking up a bit. if I didn’t have the DNA test, I would start to wonder!