So I am going to look at Silkies tomorrow...

[SmartyChick]

I just wanted to know, what should I look for? This is at someones private house who doesn't have a "business" but just has some extra chicks. I have never gotten chicks from anywhere but a hatchery and I was wondering if I should look for something special? Ask certain questions? Should I ask to see her adult birds? I am not showing or anything, but I just want to make sure I don't get sick/defective Silkies. Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

check there eyes to be sure they are clear, no runny nose, good respiration. . ALso silkies should have 5 toes and their feet should be feathered. They should also have a topknot even a small one in chicks. I would also ask to see the adult birds so you know what to expect. I would also ask if they are pure bred. Different colored Silkies kept together will still be considered mutts if they arent separated by color. They should also have black skin and dark legs (no pink) IThats all I can think of right now I am sure other silkie people will chime in with other things to watch for.

 

[joe17]

Normally if they are day olds, you cant see the crests unless they are vaulted. Some of them get huge crests later than others. Its okay if they have pink tips on there feet because as they grow older, it will turn black. You want to see feathering on their middle toe also. No singe combs or extra toes or nails. They should have 5 toes and 5 nails; no more or less. Some people check for spacing in between the 4th and 5th toes but most judges only look to see if they just have 5 toes.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I would search some of the breeders on this forum and look at their websites. That can you alot of what to look for. I would certainly look at the parents and see what quality they are. Sometimes, it's hard to tell what a baby silkie will grow up to look like. You can also get lesser quality chicks from Show Quality birds. It's better to buy them older than it is younger. That way you know what they will kind of look like as they mature.

As the others have already mentioned:
Check toes, feathering, crest will be hard to tell on young ones. Check their wings, and make sure the ends are shredded. You do not want hard feathering in a Silkie. The parents should give you an idea of what they will look like as they mature.

 

[pdsavage]

Whistle so they all are quite at once,so you can hear sneezing or wheezing type sounds....

 

[pennie1]

DEFINITELY look at their eyes if they are older. I have found that they tend to get feathers (I always call it hair) in their eyes and can get eye infections. Little ones I don't know about. In fact I am going to pick up 12 tomorrow.