Silkies week by week pictures

[PioneerChicks]

I’m seeing so many boys too. The two showgirls I have I swear are both boys. Which will be upsetting because I really wanted at least one showgirl hen. I know the frizzle has to be a boy. I’ve never seen a redder comb on a 6 week old. Maybe my Cochins was but he’s a boy too. Paint twos comb is reddish as well but that one acts like a girl. So I’m torn still. I’m hoping for more girls than boys but I’ll be happy if just one of the showgirls is a girl. Preferably Snuggle. My son named Suggle and I don’t want to have to break his heart if Snuggle is a boy.

Don't give up hope! Their are many possibilities that could be taking place that could "fowl" our guesses, such as a strain with early comb development.

 

[Smileybans]

Week Seven

Snuggle

Paint 1

Paint 2

Paint 3

Frizzle Grey

Black Satin

Black Showgirl

 

[PioneerChicks]

I'm going to be gone for a couple weeks but I can't wait to start guessing when I get back!

 

[LynnaePB]

Love seeing the progression pics each week, they are getting so big (and pretty)!

Paint #3 and the black satin (love that color by the way kinda reminds me of crele) are both looking very feminine!

I'm kind of thinking you might have got a bunch of boys otherwise based on the combs. Paint #1's comb might just be wide (I've had a girl or two like that) so I'm the most on the fence regarding that one......still leaning towards male though.

 

[Smileybans]

Love seeing the progression pics each week, they are getting so big (and pretty)!

Paint #3 and the black satin (love that color by the way kinda reminds me of crele) are both looking very feminine!

I'm kind of thinking you might have got a bunch of boys otherwise based on the combs. Paint #1's comb might just be wide (I've had a girl or two like that) so I'm the most on the fence regarding that one......still leaning towards male though.

Those are the only two I figured for girls as well. I hope I’m wrong though. If I’m not I still have the breeders number and will try to get more showgirl eggs at least. She’s the only breeder around me and I dislike ordering eggs through the mail. The post has gotten so bad about handling hatching eggs lately. The pictures will keep going until they crow however.

 

[Smileybans]

Snuggle has developed some pretty severe wry neck. To the point where he stands on his head at some points. I isolated him, which he was trying to do anyway, and am giving him extra vitamins. Hopefully he recovers.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Snuggle has developed some pretty severe wry neck. To the point where he stands on his head at some points. I isolated him, which he was trying to do anyway, and am giving him extra vitamins. Hopefully he recovers.
View attachment 2655499

Aww, poor Snuggles! I recommend giving him/her some sunflower seeds. That's what helped my Gregor boy a couple years ago. Good luck!

 

[LynnaePB]

Snuggle has developed some pretty severe wry neck. To the point where he stands on his head at some points. I isolated him, which he was trying to do anyway, and am giving him extra vitamins. Hopefully he recovers.
View attachment 2655498View attachment 2655499

Awww I'm so sorry. Hopefully the vitamins will help. When wry neck is caused by a deficiency rather than trauma it's usually vitamin E or B (I think b12 thiamine if I'm remembering right) that is needed to help along with some selenium to help with absorption of the vitamin E.

I've heard a lot of breeders mentioning success treating with goat selenium gel (a pea sized drop 2-3 times a day until symptoms subside) and poultry cell in the water. Both can be found at many feed/farm stores.

It often takes a couple weeks when it is that bad for the symptoms to get better. It's been my experience that if it doesn't get better after two to three weeks it's likely the baby will improve eventually but will probably have recurring episodes and it'll be a chronic issue.

When they get really severe cases sometimes they can't eat. I tube feed when this happens. I've had good luck feeding with a 14 french feeding tube. I got mine off ebay and it's been perfect for chicks around 5-6 weeks old to adults. Kaytee baby bird formula is perfect for tube feeding as it isn't too chunky/lumpy to go through a feeding tube that size.

Tube feeding is pretty easy if you have someone to help you. You'll want to avoid the trachea but I've never had an issue with the feeding tube going into the trachea.

I have never lost a baby to wry neck with the tube feeding preventing starvation during treatment. I have chosen to put down one of mine that had frequent recurring episodes that prevented a good quality of life though.

In case you are interested here is a link to what worked for me in regards to the feeding tube syringe combo (20cc 14fr combo). A vet might have a feeding tube + syringe if you need it sooner. Most pet stores carry baby bird hand feeding formula.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/290956803892

Good luck, I hope little Snuggle recovers quickly!

 

[Smileybans]

@LynnaePB thank you for all the information. It didn’t occur to me to tube feed. I have seen him straighten his neck out to eat and drink a bit but I will buy the tube and baby bird feed just in case.

I am giving him the goat gel, vitamin E liquid and vitamin d complex liquid. He gets these 2x a day. This combo has worked for all my wry neck babies. I don’t mind giving it to him for a couple weeks. He’s actually easier to handle than the day old chicks. He is just so stressed out. All he wants to do is hide. I gave him a blanket to make him feel more comfortable. It seemed to help. He actually started purring in my hands when I was giving him his meds because I covered him up. I’m hoping the hiding doesn’t turn into him not eating though. I have him isolated in his own cage with food and water. I just hope he recovers quickly so he can go back to being a happy chickie.

 

[Smileybans]

I was feeding snuggle and giving him his meds when I saw this.

How do I care for it?