Tell me about silkies

[lhowemt]

I don't find a lot of info on them, but they look so cute I am thinking about them as I plan to get my first chickies this spring!

what do I want? Eggs, but don't need a ton since I'll probably have more chickies than I need. Somewhat cold hardy, -10 last night and that's about our usual season low, only get a couple of nights a year, if that. Normally it is 20's. Not freaky as I'll have other breeds too. Friendly cuz I'm sure they'll be pets. not really prone to flying since I'll free-range. Plan to have a good size coop, covered run, and two different yards they'll free range in.

I'm also looking at wynadottes (2 kinds), speckled sussex, and polish.

 

[Guitartists]

Silkies I think would fit the bill

Mine get along fine with my other breeds... definitely NOT fliers.... but also very vulnerable...so keep that in mind.

Just a note.... from what I hear, Silkies and Polish and other tophatted breeds can be risky freerangers as they cannot see as well as other breeds because of all of those feathers. They may not see predators like hawks in time.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

First

Thinking of getting silkie birds ?

THEY ARE EVIL !! Before you know it, you will have more silkies than layers !!

 

[lhowemt]

I've seen more than one reference to "evil" silkies. Are you saying their evil because they are addictive? If so, that's fine, albeit dangerous I'm sure. If they are evil=mean, I'm not so sure about that, but they sound sweet. They look like you could cuddle them like a kitten, and boy do I feel silly for saying that!

I'm already planning on getting about 2 - 3 times as many chickens as we need layers, and one benefit from that is that I don't have to be constrained by how well they lay. There are just two of us.

the "my pet chicken" says silkies are "good" layers (3/wk), and I'm really looking forward to seeing what I bet are adorable eggs.

Does anybody find they get chickens with eggs and meat in mind, then never get around to getting any meat?

 

[Guitartists]

LOL They're evil as in they will eat your soul! Muhahahahaha!

Actually.... my Silkie roo Charli keeps trying to flog my toddler... but my other Silkie and my Showgirl are both sweet

Poppet. my Showgirl is my mildest and sweetest chicken. I plan to get more hens next year

Here's my son and Gary.

 

[lhowemt]

Oh, so sweet! I think I want a buff and a splash.

what's the best place to get silkies from? I want pullets only, and so far it sounds like my pet chicken is the only place that does that? I'd rather support breeders than high-volume hatcheries though.

If those silkies and polish are in with others such as wynadottes and speckled sussex, would those chickens likely warn in time of hawks or other dangers? Our freeranging would be just the yard, with much cover, but also some pretty open.

 

[tileman@prodigBird Raiser]

Silkies make great pets. They are calm and very friendly. When i call them they all come runnign. They are very gentle. They also make great broodies. All of my silkie hens when broody on me this year. They are easy to hatch and raise and are very fun. Here are some of my birds.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/Maine72/DSC00888.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/Maine72/2008-11-25063.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/Maine72/2008-11-25060.jpg
2 silkies broody:
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/Maine72/2008-11-25057.jpg

 

[magsrags]

Oh silkies, don't get me started. They...(mine anyway) have been so sweet tempered and friendly. Following me around the yard and looking for me when they hear my voice. I just today got my very first egg from 1! I've hatched all but 3 of my own so far and think everyone should have at least 1.
They need "extra protection" for sure. They can't fly, don't see round those crests real well either.
I'd certainly reccomend them to anyone wanting a cold hardy, docile bird that children can even handle.

That and they are always "whispering" to me. Very sweet little birds.