silkies vs standards

[bagendhens]

any difference in how to raise them.

ive got my day old standards comming in a couple weeks and got an email today that someone local has silkies hatching early april and i can have 2 if i want them (and we do)
is there any difference in raising the silkies as compared to the standards?

 

[RedfogsFlock]

My silkie girls are a tad smaller than all my other hens, but otherwise the answer is no, no difference. I raised mine i the same brooder, and they run with my RIR, leghorns, EE, and ducks with no problems. Actually mine are a little more sassy, ha ha.

I didn't do anything different for them, even though I have read that sometimes you may have to trim the feathers out of their faces a little so they can see airborne predators. We have a lot of red tail hawks though, and they do just fine!

 

[bagendhens]

thank you

im so excited, i got the notice from the hatchery that there due to ship out on the 31st.
im nervous too, i hope there all strong and healthy (and not boys lol, i did order all pullets but i know sexing baby chicks is an artform more than an exact science lol.
but we got 10 comming and as of yet i havent advertised the extra 5 for sale so i have no issues waiting a few weeks till they can be sexed (and to get over the "we might die" bump)

ok so just about a week and a half, *takes a deep breath*
must keep busy till then

going to tractor supply this weekend to pick up some bedding, and hopefully the dog run we want to turn into a chicken run.
and then...coop building must start

 

[australorpchick]

Just be prepared for frequent broodiness starting at about 6 months. If one goes broody, the others get jealous and go broody as well.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

Only thing I would suggest as I had this problem would be if you have a Standard size rooster, he will mount the Silkie hens and it was just too painful to watch. I got rid of my big roo (sold), I miss my roo crowing, but my silkies thank me.

 

[BellaLulaFarm]

Hi there, I posted a reply with more details to almost the same question by "Soon to be chick Mommy" a little higher in the thread, if you want to look at that. We have a bunch of mixed standards and silkies, and the first few days the silkies needed some extra help.

Have fun!

 

[bagendhens]

thank you guys.
no worries about a roo, we cant have any roos! lol