Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[newchickychick]

This looks like the thread for me. My husband and I are new to chicken tending (we got our first 19 at the beginning of April - and now have about 60-65 other standard chicks! Whoops!) and two days ago, hubby saw the Bantams at TSC and leaped (we got 12!). He expressed he was disappointed none seemed to be Silkies, and of course I had to chicken math it - we've got 5 on the way for the 28th as hatch date, and 5 more on the way with a June 4th hatch date. No regrets!

Looking forward to perusing this thread and learning more about silkies as well as admiring everyone else's.

 

[Hinotori]

This looks like the thread for me. My husband and I are new to chicken tending (we got our first 19 at the beginning of April - and now have about 60-65 other standard chicks! Whoops!) and two days ago, hubby saw the Bantams at TSC and leaped (we got 12!). He expressed he was disappointed none seemed to be Silkies, and of course I had to chicken math it - we've got 5 on the way for the 28th as hatch date, and 5 more on the way with a June 4th hatch date. No regrets!

Looking forward to perusing this thread and learning more about silkies as well as admiring everyone else's.

Welcome to the thread!

 

[newchickychick]

Welcome to the thread!

Thanks so much! I’m really excited. Silkies were one of those critters that I felt “this is strange - I need five” about growing up. Hubby saying he wanted them was enough of a green light for me. 5 will be from Ideal and 5 from Cackle, all random colors. Excited to see what babies we get! Already looking into specific dietary needs (I do know they can be a bit more prone to vitamin deficiencies which can lead to health problems?) as well as great enrichment ideas for mixed flocks from great flyers to no flyers to smooth to silkies. I never mind an excuse to try a little of everything.

My dear husband has looked back with me on other peoples’ silkies here and is in love. Really looking forward to adding them to our flock soon!

 

[Hinotori]

Thanks so much! I’m really excited. Silkies were one of those critters that I felt “this is strange - I need five” about growing up. Hubby saying he wanted them was enough of a green light for me. 5 will be from Ideal and 5 from Cackle, all random colors. Excited to see what babies we get! Already looking into specific dietary needs (I do know they can be a bit more prone to vitamin deficiencies which can lead to health problems?) as well as great enrichment ideas for mixed flocks from great flyers to no flyers to smooth to silkies. I never mind an excuse to try a little of everything.

My dear husband has looked back with me on other peoples’ silkies here and is in love. Really looking forward to adding them to our flock soon!

Like many bantams, they need higher protien. Most show breeders feed at least 20%.

Nutrena Naturewise now has a Silkie and Ornamental layer feed that's 22% and I believe has extra vitamins. If I can find it, I may try it on a test pen.

 

[newchickychick]

Like many bantams, they need higher protien. Most show breeders feed at least 20%.

Nutrena Naturewise now has a Silkie and Ornamental layer feed that's 22% and I believe has extra vitamins. If I can find it, I may try it on a test pen.

That’s great to know, thank you! I’ve written it down in my future note homesteading notebook. I definitely do not plan to show, but want all of our feathery babies to be as healthy and happy as possible. I’ll be looking into that layer feed early on so I can have it at the ready when they’re getting close to laying!