Slow growing silkie chicks? 3.5 weeks

[Amy Carter]

I’ve hatched many silkies and these guys, especially the showgirl , seem small, slow to feather and have non existent puffs.
They’re perfectly healthy and get feed and scrambled eggs.
1) do they seem a normal size to you for 3.5 weeks?

2) does lack of puff growth more likely than not mean roo?

The paint has huge feet (sigh...)

 

[Gray Farms]

They look normal for the age to me. What feed are you feeding?

 

[Amy Carter]

They look normal for the age to me. What feed are you feeding?

The 24 percent protein starter grower.

 

[Gray Farms]

The 24 percent protein starter grower.

They should be good to go then.

 

[silkie1472]

Just to start I must say that your birds look great, especially the showgirl.

For 3.5 weeks old, they look just like they should if not bigger, at least by the picture. Remember, though, that they are originally bantam birds in the U.S. with the exception of showgirls being slightly larger.

A concern that I have is about their diet. 24% protein is ideal for gamebirds such as quail and turkey as they grow quickly and need protein to develop muscles accordingly.

Chickens, however, develop a little slower (silkies for sure). You even mentioned that they get fed egg as well. This could potentially stunt their growth as their bones must catch up to their muscle. No complications may occur, but I would take some precaution. I would lower the food to 16% protein and add egg occasionally for probiotic benefits.

Other than this high protein diet, everything looks good to me!

 

[Amy Carter]

Just to start I must say that your birds look great, especially the showgirl.

For 3.5 weeks old, they look just like they should if not bigger, at least by the picture. Remember, though, that they are originally bantam birds in the U.S. with the exception of showgirls being slightly larger.

A concern that I have is about their diet. 24% protein is ideal for gamebirds such as quail and turkey as they grow quickly and need protein to develop muscles accordingly.

Chickens, however, develop a little slower (silkies for sure). You even mentioned that they get fed egg as well. This could potentially stunt their growth as their bones must catch up to their muscle. No complications may occur, but I would take some precaution. I would lower the food to 16% protein and add egg occasionally for probiotic benefits.

Other than this high protein diet, everything looks good to me!

Thank you

 

[Amy Carter]

Just to start I must say that your birds look great, especially the showgirl.

For 3.5 weeks old, they look just like they should if not bigger, at least by the picture. Remember, though, that they are originally bantam birds in the U.S. with the exception of showgirls being slightly larger.

A concern that I have is about their diet. 24% protein is ideal for gamebirds such as quail and turkey as they grow quickly and need protein to develop muscles accordingly.

Chickens, however, develop a little slower (silkies for sure). You even mentioned that they get fed egg as well. This could potentially stunt their growth as their bones must catch up to their muscle. No complications may occur, but I would take some precaution. I would lower the food to 16% protein and add egg occasionally for probiotic benefits.

Other than this high protein diet, everything looks good to me!

In your opinion are smaller puffs early on often indicative of a roo?

 

[silkie1472]

Smaller puffs early on are no indication of a roo when dealing with silkies. It relies solely on genetics. With mine, feather structure/direction have allowed me to determine gender early on, but many say that there is no reliable process. Usually I have seen more feathering on the sides of the face of the roos, but yours may be a little too small still yet.

 

[silkie1472]

If I had to take a guess, I would say your showgirl will be a pullet and your silkie will be a roo. Do not rely on this though.

 

[Amy Carter]

If I had to take a guess, I would say your showgirl will be a pullet and your silkie will be a roo. Do not rely on this though.

That is my initial guess as well. We’ll seeeeeee