SILKIES ~ Updated pics on page17

[destiny_56085]

They go in stages. From hatching til they are about 2 weeks old they have the cute chick down. From 2 weeks til about 2 months they look all scraggly and awkward. They lose the down and get their first set of feathers. They come in on the wings and feet first it seems like. Then they look like a porcupine for a while with all the pin feathers. It takes til they are 3-4 months to fully fluff out it seems like. At about 8-10 months they will go through yet another molt. It seems like the pullets finally finish out at about 10 months and the cockerels at 12 months.

For showing at least we have to work around these molts. You try to keep back babies that are such an age so they will be ready at a certain time. You can show those 4-6 months old but you know the judge will knock them down for being too immature. The fall show season always seems to come around the same time or shortly after that second molt it seems like. Then it comes down to what is currently in condition.

 

[m2wandc]

what age is OK to put them outside full time without a heat lamp or the warmth of our central heating in the house?

fully feathered? I can't keep them in the brooder in the house for 10 months! LOL

 

[m2wandc]

Quote:
any quesses on sex? I know it's WAY EARLY and a total shot in the dark, but fun to always play the guessing game....I'm just curious because of what people have told me if you think Puff is a roo and Stuff is a pullet???

 

[Punk-Rock_Chicken]

Quote:
More than likely if you got then from a feed store you do not have bearded sikies, which are most likely the pics your seeing of the ones you cant see the eyes. I have both and had to seek out my bearded from breeders. The ones I got from the feed store are regular. And when I first started, I was the same way as you. But one day when I was at the feedstore they had gotten some in and I got ONE on a spur of the moment decision. I went back up a few hours later and got two more. And now I have 8! Oh yeah! I'm hooked! The bearded do seem to be more cuddly and dog like than unbearded though. My wife has taken to a little splash that she carries everywhere! When they are free ranging, if she comes out it runs up to her and wants up on her lap. We also have a big black roo that thinks all the little ones are his and gets alittle pecky with you when they are around AND at night he sits on them and spreads his wings over them and pecks at you if you reach for them. AND we only got him 2 days ago! they introduce into new flocks pretty good.

 

[destiny_56085]

Mine only stay in the brooder tubs in the house for 3 weeks max. I them move them out to the garage pen. The garage itself is not heated but they do have access to a couple of 250 watt lamps to go under. At about 5-6 weeks they start to really get their first set of feathers. By then they aren't even hanging under the heat lamps any more. I kick them out to the growout pens in the barn after that. Good dry bedding and out of the wind or rain and they will do fine. Btw... up here in MN its been 40-60 degrees for the last week. If its colder than that I'll just keep them in the garage for even longer.

That second molt at 8-10 months will be noticeable. Think of men as an analogy. The first molt would be like a boy going through puberty...they get the deeper voice, the height, some of the muscles, etc. They are awkward and gangly in this stage. They run around alot and try to show off. Compare that second molt to a teen boy becoming a man. They fill out alot more! Colors change...splash and partridge don't fully color out til then. You'll finally see those off colors coming through on the hackles of solid colors if they will be there. They fill out more through the breast area and the cushion seems to get fuller. They also settle down and realize they have hens to take care of. They also are just like men in that some remain too cocky, too gangly, some aren't so cute anymore and others get even more handsome.

 

[vfem]

So what did I wake up to this morning!!!!????

If those fluff balls on the head bother you, I have pet quality ones with smaller puffs.... my broody has a huge one... I put little hair ties in so she can see occasionally! LOL

 

[Punk-Rock_Chicken]

Danzig...

 

[GAchick]

Lord what have ya'll made me do.... I just went and ordered 5 blue silkies from mypetchicken.com. Should be here in two weeks... And that's IT for this year..... Except for 2-3 peachicks very soon.... I hope....

 

[m2wandc]

Quote:
More than likely if you got then from a feed store you do not have bearded sikies, which are most likely the pics your seeing of the ones you cant see the eyes. I have both and had to seek out my bearded from breeders. The ones I got from the feed store are regular. And when I first started, I was the same way as you. But one day when I was at the feedstore they had gotten some in and I got ONE on a spur of the moment decision. I went back up a few hours later and got two more. And now I have 8! Oh yeah! I'm hooked! The bearded do seem to be more cuddly and dog like than unbearded though. My wife has taken to a little splash that she carries everywhere! When they are free ranging, if she comes out it runs up to her and wants up on her lap. We also have a big black roo that thinks all the little ones are his and gets alittle pecky with you when they are around AND at night he sits on them and spreads his wings over them and pecks at you if you reach for them. AND we only got him 2 days ago! they introduce into new flocks pretty good.

Will you post some pics of your 'feedstore' birds, so I can get an idea of the poof...LOL Thanks

 

[m2wandc]

Quote:
LMAO...that's funny!