Silkies

[MommyGirl]

Thinking about adding some silkies to my flock? I have all standard size chickens now though. How well do they do with bigger chickens? Are there other things I need to consider with silkies? I live in Georgia, so are they heat tolerant? What hatchery has decent quality? Any advice on them would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Silkies can be bullied in a mixed flock. I always recommend keeping them separately. The better the quality, the better they are penned separately.

Silkies go broody often. It was the only breed that was broody in the dead of winter here. They also can have problems external parasites. It's the only breed I had to treat for lice. They also can be prone to head injuries, especially if they have a vaulted skull. They are a great breed, but required more care, so I haven't gotten anymore.

 

[MommyGirl]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[HappyHippyChick]

No hatchery that I know of. If you want silkies best to get good quality. They are hardy. And also, like most chickens, can get over heated in the summer, or hot days. Silkies are about the size of a cross between a bantam and a large fowl. Roosters are about 4-5 pounds. Good eating if you have roosters. They are nice and probably should be in seperate pens unless you have mild chickens. Silkies are hardy chickens. They are a joy.

 

[HappyHippyChick]

You could order some eggs in the mail. I do now know where you can find these and they are good quality. I'm getting some next week. Check out their pictures they are good quality. https://www.reinhardtminiranch.com/

 

[Chickens are life]

My silkies were bullied for a while but they were eventually accepted into the flock. My silkies can handle pretty hot temperatures. Made it through a 46°c day without much problems. Try not to keep them in the rain unless you want drenched silkies. They don't have waterproof feathers like most breeds.

 

[pecky33]

I got silkies for the first time (from Stromburg's hatchery but I know many other hatchery's carry them, too, like Murray Mc Murray) and they are now 7 1/2 weeks old. They are not my most cuddly, but they are pretty easy to catch. I have not seen them fight with my other chicks (I have 3 other bantam breeds with them), only a couple time's I've seen them gently peck another chick on the head to say "hey, get out of my area" but never super mean about it. I love them overall!